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which was the low record of 21.7 per 1,000 live births. Stillbirths
numbered 14 as against 15 in 1959 despite the increase in the birth rate.
There were no maternal deaths.
Deaths from all forms of cancer shewed a further increase, numbering 168
compared with 150 in 1959 and was the second greatest cause of death. Although
deaths from diseases of the heart and circulatory system shewed a welcome
decline - 220 compared with 255 in 1959 - it was still the principal cause of
death, particularly among males, and accounted for 33% of the total deaths.
The tuberculosis death rate was 0.08 per 1,000 population and compares
with 0.07 for England and Wales. New notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis
numbered 26, the same as last year, thus continuing the favourable trend noted
since 1958. Deaths from cancer of the lung amounted to 34, the same number as
in 1959, and as is usual the highest proportion of these deaths, 31, occurred
among males.
With regard to infectious diseases only 148 notifications were received
compared with 762 in the preceding year. This fall in notifications was due
to the exceptionally low incidence of measles. There were no deaths from
infectious diseases.
For the eleventh successive year no cases of diphtheria occurred in
Wimbledon, but immunisation against this disease is as important as ever as
outbreaks are still occurring in children elsewhere in the country. It is of
the utmost importance that parents should keep their children as highly
immunised as possible and particularly for the initial protection to be given
in the first year of life.
The situation with regard to poliomyelitis was especially satisfactory
with not a single case occurring in the Borough during the year. The poliomyelitis
vaccination scheme, which was extended in February to include everyone
up to age 40 years, continued throughout the year and further progress was
made. At the end of 1960, 11.181 or 82% of children under the age of 15 years
had received 2 or more injections. In September a Poliomyelitis Vaccination
Campaign Week was organised, being aimed particularly at the 26-40 years age
group. The campaign was conducted with the aid of a Mobile Unit and helped to
bring to the notice of the public the importance of poliomyelitis vaccination.
From the summary it will be seen that the health of the residents was very
good during the year, and the vital statistics compare favourably with those of
the Country as a whole.
In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing to
the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee my appreciation for the
consideration and courtesy which they have shewn to me during the year.
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