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leading cause of death with a rate of 4.8 per thousand population, followed by cancer with a rate of 2.2, and
respiratory diseases (influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema, asthma, etc.) with a rate of 1.5.
Infectious Diseases
Nine men and two women died from tuberculosis of the respiratory system, almost the same number
as last year when 12 deaths were recorded (see page 15). A woman of 82 died from salmonella enteritides infection
(other infective and parasitic diseases). There were no deaths from any other notifiable disease.
Cancer of the Lung and Bronchus
Cancer of the lung and bronchus continues to be the commonest cause of fatal malignant disease. 148
men and 31 women died compared with 162 men and 37 women in 1967. It is pleasing to see a slight decrease
in the number of deaths but sad to see so many adolescents and school children persistently smoking in 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 13 talks were given in schools to 481 senior
pupils.
Bronchitis and Emphysema
118 men and 42 women died from bronchitis compared with 101 men and 42 women in 1967. 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.
Abortion and Other Complications of Pregnancy
There were two maternal deaths giving a rate of 0.34 per 1,000 total (live and still) births, compared
with one death and a rate of 0.16 in 1967. The provisional rate for England and Wales was 0.24 per 1,000 live
and still births.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
36 residents died as a result of accidents involving motor vehicles (23 males, 13 females).
All Other Accidents
25 males and 14 females died as a result of other accidents, the commonest causes being carbon
monoxide poisoning and asphyxia due to fires, falls at home, and accidental poisoning.
Suicides
17 men and 19 women committed suicide (see page 21).
INFANT MORTALITY
In 1968, 134 children died in the first year of life—85 in the first week and another 12 in the first
month. There was a slight increase in the infant mortality rate compared with 1967, from 20.1 per 1,000 live
births to 23.4, which was above the provisional figure for England and Wales (18.0). The perinatal mortality
rate (stillbirths and deaths under one week combined per 1,000 live and stillbirths) increased slightly from 25.7
to 29.5, above the provisional figure for England and Wales which was 25.0.
Causes of Death (Table 3)
The main cause of infant mortality was birth injury, difficult labour, and other anoxic and hypoxic
conditions. Thirty-eight babies died in the first week of life. Five of these deaths were attributable to birth
injury compared with seven last year. The number of deaths and rate due to this cause has remained fairly
constant for many years.
Thirty-seven babies died of other causes of perinatal mortality. The majority of these deaths were
due to prematurity.
Pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema, and other diseases of the respiratory system caused 24 deaths.
Antibiotics and improved environmental conditions have decreased the number of deaths from these causes
considerably over the past few years.
It is pleasing to report that there were only two deaths from enteritis and other diarrhoeal diseases
compared with six last year. The Health Visitors continued to spend much time educating mothers, particularly
immigrant mothers, many of whose standards leave a great deal to be desired, on infant care and feeding.
Special emphasis was placed on attendance at mothercraft classes, and diagrammatical leaflets were prepared
and issued to illiterate mothers.
There were 21 deaths from congenital anomalies; and three accidental deaths due, in each case, to
head injuries.
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
Improved conditions of housing and general standard of living, together with modern medicine and
vaccines, have played an important part towards better health and reduction in number of notifiable diseases
in the Borough. Health Visitors and Public Health Inspectors have given valuable assistance in health education
and hygiene, and where a disease has been notified prompt action and advice has no doubt prevented it
from becoming widespread.
The Public Health (Infectious) Diseases Regulations, 1968, came into operation on 1st October, 1968.
These Regulations consolidate into one instrument, with amendments, all existing Regulations relating to notification
and prevention of infectious disease. The Regulations make leptospirosis notifiable throughout England