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1.
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR
19 5 5
To: The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Chingford Corporation,
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
I have pleasure in submitting my Annual Report for the year 1955
upon the health and sanitary circumstances of the Borough.
The estimated population for the year was 47,310.
Vital Statistics: A further reduction in the birth-rate has occurred,
the rate per thousand being 9.9 (in 1954, 11.7): this is a new low
record; the total number of births was 472, the average for the
previous five years being 602.
The death-rate was 7.2 per thousand (in 1954, 8).
There were 80 deaths due to cancer and 163 deaths due to heart disease
and associated vascular conditions. These two diseases were the cause
of more than two deaths out of every three that occurred. Cancer alone
caused nearly one quarter of the total deaths.
The infant mortality rate, which is the number of
deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births, was 12.7.
As will be seen from the table on page 4, the infant mortality rate is
subject to wide fluctuations. The rate for England and Wales was 24.9.
Infectious Diseases: The number of cases of measles was 492, compared
with 195 in 1954.
Poliomyelitis cases numbered 12.
It is very gratifying that only 20 cases of pulmonary
tuberculosis were notified during 1955; the average number for the previous
five years was 36.
The B.C.G. vaccination scheme for children aged 13
continued throughout the year: the percentage of children vaccinated out
of those eligible remained most satisfactory.
The Walthamstow and Chingford Association of
Tuberculosis Care Helpers continued its excellent work in bringing
practical help in the way of food, clothing, convalescent holidays, etc.
to tuberculous persons and their families.