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a reduction is to be seen in the number classified as "other defined and ill-defined
diseases." It is satisfactory to note also that the number of deaths from tuberculosis fell
from 15 in 1951 to 9 in 1952. The figure of 6 dying in motor vehicle accidents emphasises
the need for continued work on the improvement of safety on the roads. There were no
deaths from poliomyelitis.
Deaths from respiratory diseases were lower, i.e. 74 in 1952 and 97 in 1951. This is
an interesting figure in view of the fact that the great fog of December was blamed for
causing an increase in the number of deaths from respiratory diseases, but as 17 of the 74
deaths from this cause did occur during the month of December, the size of this number
in proportion does suggest an increased incidence; the corresponding number for December,
1951, being 6.
The total number of deaths registered during 1952 of persons belonging to the district
and dying within the district, at all ages and from all causes was 281 (males 136 and females
145). For statistical purposes it is necessary to add to this figure the deaths of persons
ordinarily resident in the district who died in Hillingdon Hospital, other Middlesex hospitals
and hospitals outside the County boundaries, including various London hospitals. These
" outside " deaths were 236 in number (males 121 and females 115). The total number of
deaths, therefore, belonging to the district was 517.
The deaths of non-Southall residents but dying within the Borough (not included in
the above figures) number as follows: St. Bernard's Hospital, 154 (males 57 and females
97); at Mount Pleasant Hospital, 12 (all male); Southall-Norwood Hospital, 2 (1 male and
1 female); Norwood Hall, 26 (all female); Vine House, 3 (all female); at private addresses,
8 (5 male and 3 female).
For 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.
Graph A shows the trend of the death rate since 1944.
Births and Birth Rate. (Figures for 1951 are given in brackets.)
The total number of registered births in the district (as notified under the Births and
Deaths Registration Act) was 136 (150). The total number of live births belonging to the
district, whether occurring within or outside the district, was 706 (706). The illegitimate
live births were 26 (28). There were 11 stillbirths (18) and these were all legitimate.
A slight fall in the birth rate is recorded from 13.02 in 1951 to 12.94 in 1952 This
rate has been falling annually since 1946. The corresponding rate for the whole of England
and Wales for 1952 was 22.6.
Graph A shows the trend of the birth rate since 1944.
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