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6
DEATHS
The total number of deaths was 2,874, giving a crude death rate of 9.8 per thousand population.
When the comparability factor is applied, the standardised rate is 10.8, a little below the provisional rate for
England and Wales which was 11.2. The number of deaths from all causes, is shown in Table 1. The main
causes of deaths and rates per thousand population are shown in Table 2. Heart disease continues to be the
leading cause of death with a rate of 3.5 per thousand population, followed by cancer with a rate of 2.3, and
respiratory diseases (influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.) and vascular lesions of nervous system both with
rates of 1.1.
Infectious Diseases
Eight men and 4 women died from respiratory tuberculosis. This is the highest total of deaths since
1963, when 17 were recorded (see page 14). There were no deaths from any other notifiable infectious disease.
Cancer of the Lung and Bronchus
Cancer of the lung and bronchus continues to be the commonest cause of fatal malignant disease.
162 men and 37 women died compared with 145 men and 42 women in 1966. It is sad to see so many adolescents
and school children persistently smoking in the face of all the evidence of the association between
smoking and lung cancer. The Department continued to present this evidence to school children in its health
education programme, and 19 talks on the subject were given to 1,020 senior pupils.
Bronchitis
101 men and 42 women died from bronchitis compared with 119 men and 45 women in 1966. The
sex difference in numbers of deaths probably relates to the heavier smoking habits of middle-aged and elderly
men and to a lesser extent conditions of dust, smoke and fumes at work.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, Abortion
There was one maternal death giving a rate of 0.16 per 1,000 total (live and still) births compared
with three deaths and a rate of 0.46 in 1966. The provisional rate for England and Wales was 0.20 per 1,000
live and still births.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
36 residents died as a result of accidents involving motor vehicles (24 males. 12 females).
All other Accidents
25 males and 22 females died as a result of other accidents, the commonest causes being carbon
monoxide poisoning, accidental overdose of drugs and falls at home.
Suicides
14 men and 16 women committed suicide, (see page 20).
INFANT MORTALITY
In 1967, 123 children died in the first year of life—59 in the first week and another 16 in the first
month. There was a slight increase in the infant mortality rate compared with 1966, from 19.3 per 1,000 live
births to 20.1, which was above the provisional figure for England and Wales (18.3). The perinatal mortality
rate (stillbirths and deaths under one week combined per 1,000 total live and stillbirths) increased very slightly
from 25.4 to 25.7 almost the same as the provisional figure for England and Wales which was 25.4.
By Wards (Table 3)
Six wards had rates of more than 25 per 1,000 live births—Brondesbury, Carlton, Church End,
Queens Park, Queensbury and Roundwood—but too much significance should not be placed on these figures
in view of the small number involved. There is no doubt, however, that an improvement in social conditions
of some of these Wards would certainly reduce the mortality.
Causes of Death (Table 4)
Prematurity was again the most important single factor in infant mortality; 37 premature babies died
(30 per cent of total infant deaths).
Respiratory infections caused 27 deaths. Antibiotics and improved environmental conditions have
decreased the rate from this cause considerably over the past few years.
Twenty-nine babies died from congenital malformations.
Diarrhoea and enteritis caused six deaths, four more than last year. Four of the deaths were children of
immigrant families. The standards of infant care and feeding among some immigrant families leaves a great
deal to be desired, and much time is spent by Health Visitors in educating mothers on the subject which is
made difficult in many cases by language problems.
In spite of continued improvements in obstetrics, seven children died from birth injury; the number of
deaths and rate being the same as last year. In fact the death rate due to this cause has remained fairly
constant for many years.
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIONS AND OTHER DISEASES
The declining incidence and mortality of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles,
whooping cough and typhoid in the past 50 years is a reflection mainly of improved living conditions. Better
housing and nutrition, improved ventilation and smaller families have helped to increase resistance and reduce