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9
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 1948
was 41,480.
Since 1943 there has been an excess of births over deaths each
year until 1948 when 696 births are recorded compared with 471
deaths.
Births.
There were 696 births during the year (378 males and 318
females) which is 156 less than in 1947 when the record total of
852 was recorded. This gives a birth-rate of 16.7 compared with
20.3 in 1947.
The number of illegitimate births fell to 38 compared with 57
in the previous year.
77% of births took place in hospitals and nursing homes and
only 23% in dwelling houses.
Deaths.
The total number of deaths occurring amongst residents was
471 compared with 574 in the previous year. This gives a crude
death rate of 11.3 compared with 10.8 for the whole country and
11.6 for the County of London.
The Infant Mortality Rate (deaths under one year of age) has
fallen from 29.0 to 26.1 per thousand live births. Of the 38
illegitimate births recorded there was not a single death or still birth.
Each of the 18 infant deaths was carefully investigated with a
view to ascertaining what preventive measures could help to reduce
the incidence in future. From the table it will be seen that 10 of the
deaths were due to congenital debility or malformation. The prevention
of death in such cases is most difficult. It is some satisfaction
to note that no infants died from entiritis during the year. Fourteen
of the deaths took place in Institutions and four in dwelling houses.