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7
Population.
At the Census of 1931 the population of the Borough was
37,791 while the Registrar General's estimate in the middle of 1949
was 42,060.
Since 1943 there has been an excess of births over deaths each
year until 1949 when 719 births are recorded compared with 508
deaths.
Births.
There were 719 births during the year (371 males and 348
females) which is 23 more than in 1948 but still considerably less
than in 1947 when the record total of 852 was reached.
The number of illegitimate births was 42 compared with 38 in
the previous year.
76% of births took place in hospitals or nursing homes, showing
that residents are reasonably provided for in this respect.
Deaths.
The total number of deaths occurring amongst residents was 508
(245 males and 263 females) compared with 471 in the previous year.
This gives a crude death rate of 12.03 per thousand of the population
compared with 11.7 for England and Wales. This is a crude Death
Rate which is not strictly comparable with other districts since the
ages of populations vary. When corrected the rate is 9.8 per
thousand which compares favourably with the rate for the whole
country.
The Infant Mortality Rate (deaths under one year of age) has
again fallen from 26.1 to 21.1 per thousand live births. Each of the
15 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 8 of the deaths were due to congenital
debility or malformation. The prevention of death in such
cases is most difficult. It is satisfactory to note that no deaths were
due to enteritis and there were no cases of accidental death or
asphyxia.
Fourteen of the deaths occurred in Institutions and only one in
a Dwelling House.