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8
THE HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH
Population
At the Census of 1931 the population of the Borough was
37,791, while the Registrar General's estimate at the middle of
1947 was 41,100.
Until the year 1943 there were always more deaths than births
in Richmond. Since 1943 there has been an excess of births over
deaths each year until in 1947 when 852 births were recorded
compared with 574 deaths.
Births
There were 852 births during the year (461 males and 391
females) which is 80 more than were recorded in 1946. This
gives a birth-rate of 20.3 compared with 19.8 in 1946.
The number of illegitimate births was 57 compared with 54
in the previous year.
78% of confinements took place in hospitals and nursing homes
and only 22% in dwelling houses.
Deaths
The total number of deaths occurring amongst residents was
574 (276 males and 298 females). This gives a death rate of
13.9 per thousand of the population compared with 12.0 for England
and Wales. These are crude Death Rates which are not strictly
comparable since the ages of populations in different areas vary.
If corrected and made comparable it would be more favourable in
Richmond.
The Infant Mortality Rate (Deaths under one year of age)
has fallen from 37 to 29 per thousand live births.
Each of the 25 Infant Deaths was carefully investigated with
a view to ascertaining what action could be taken to reduce the
number of such cases in the future.