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for England and Wales. Notifications also decreased from 31 in 1956
to 22 in 1957.
Dysentery was notified in 47 cases against 60 for 1956.
The birth rate of 13.58 per 1,000 population becomes, after
correction by the comparability factor, 13.05 compared with 16.1
for England and Wales.
The death rate of 9.15 becomes, after correction by comparability
factor, 11.07 per 1,000 population, against 11.5 for England
and Wales.
As regards infant mortality, both the local rate, 12.36, and the
rate for England and Wales, 23.0 per 1,000 live births, are the lowest
ever recorded.
Amid the general decline of diseases cancer is the only one to
advance. Although this year in Mitcham the death rate at 2.06 per
1,000 population dropped slighdy from 2.08, in the country as a whole
it continued its upward trend to 2.09.
I wish to thank the Chairmen of the Committees for their unfailing
support, and all the members of the staff for their loyalty and
service throughout the year.
I have the honour to be, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
A. R. GRAHAM,
Medical Officer of Health
Public Health Department,
Mitcham Court,
Mitcham.