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BIRTH AND DEATH RATES
Whole District
Total deaths, 465. (Males, 250; Females, 215.)
Crude Death Rate, 8 28.
For extracts from vital statistics and causes of death, see Appendix, Tables I and II.
Deaths.
The death rate has decreased continuously since 1946. In that year it was 8.96, in
1947 8.67 and this year it has reached the record low level of 8.28. The corresponding rate
for the whole country was 10.8. Heart disease and cancer were again the principal causes
of death.
The total number of deaths registered of persons belonging to the district and dying
within the district at all ages and from all causes was 237 (males 120 and females 117).
For statistical purposes it is necessary to add to this figure the deaths of persons ordinarily
resident in the district who died in various London Hospitals, the Hillingdon County
Hospital, other Middlesex County Hospitals and elsewhere outside the district. These
"outside" deaths were 228 in number (males 130 and females 98). The total number
of deaths therefore belonging to the district was 465.
The deaths of non-Southall residents in the St. Bernard's Hospital (not included in
the above figures) numbered 104 (males 39 and females 65).
For the distribution of deaths in the various Wards see Appendix, Table III, and for
the comparison of general birth and death rates and rates of maternal mortality see Appendix,
Table IV.
Births and Birth Rate (figures for 1947 are given in brackets).
The total number of births notified to the Health Department under the Public Health
Act, 1936, was 1,117 (1,244). The total number of registered births in the district (under
the Births and Deaths Registration Act—included in the notified births above) was 351
(471). The total number of live births belonging to the district, whether occurring within
or outside the district, was 996 (1,108). The illegitimate live births were 53 (53). There
were 23 stillbirths (22) and these were all legitimate.
The birth rate is declining in Southall—it has fallen from 20.51 in 1946 and 20.16 in
1947 to 18.14 in 1948. It was slightly higher in 1948 than the birth rate for the whole
of England and Wales, which was 17.9.
The table below gives the analysis of the places of confinement of cases occurring prior
to 5th July. The monthly registration of births classified in Wards is given in Appendix,
Table V.
Total Confinements (live births and still births), during the period 1st January to 4th July,
1948: 577.
No. born in Hillingdon County Hospital 250 or 42%
No. born in nursing homes or other hospitals 136 or 26%
No. confined in their homes by midwives or doctors 191 or 32%
Infant Mortality.
The total number of deaths under 1 year of age was 29, 27 legitimate and 2 illegitimate.
The rate per 1,000 live births was 29.1. The corresponding rate for England and Wales
was 34, for London 31, and for the 148 small towns 32 per 1,000.
There is a gratifying fall to be observed in the infant mortality rate—from 38.8 in 1947
to 29 in 1948; this is the lowest infant mortality rate ever recorded in the Borough, and it
is especially satisfactory when compared with a national rate of 34.
Premature Infants.
Twenty-seven infants were born prematurely during the period, of whom 23 survived
at the end of 1 month.
For cases born prematurely equipment was available to be supplied to the homes,
consisting of draught-proof cots, electric blankets, hot-water bottles, catheters, thermometers,
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