View report page

deaths were 203 in number (males 122 and females 81). The total number of deaths, therefore,
belonging to the district was 480.
The deaths of non-Southall residents in the St. Bernard's Hospital (not included in
the above figures) numbered 149 (males 48 and females 101).
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 maternity mortality see
Appendix, Table IV.
Births and Birth Rate. (Figures for 1949 are given in brackets.)
The total number of registered births in the district (as notified under the Births and
Deaths Registration Act) was 178 (364). The total number of live births belonging to the
district, whether occurring within or outside the district, was 787 (871). The illegitimate
live births were 36 (39). There were 12 stillbirths (14) and these were all legitimate except 1.
The birth rate for Southall continues to fall. It has decreased every year since 1946,
and was 14.19 for 1950 compared with 1572 in 1949. The corresponding rate for the whole
of England and Wales in 1950 was 15.8.
Infant Mortality
The infant mortality rate during 1950 fell to 25.41. This is the lowest rate to be
recorded in Southall. The graph on infant mortality, attached, demonstrates the dramatic
change in the infant mortality rate during the past fifty years, although the fall has not been
absolutely continuous, as there was a disappointing increase during 1949. The actual number
of deaths occurring in 1950 was 20, 12 of which took place in hospital. It seems that with
the falling birth rate either the children are more tenacious of life or the amount of supervision
which can be given to each child is greater, and, therefore, more effective in its results
on the prevention of death during the first year of life. The national infant mortality rate
for 1950 was 29.8. Table VI gives the classification of causes of infant deaths under the
age of one year.
Graph A.
Infant Mortality Rate from 1900 to 1950.
9