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with the increasing average age of the population resulting from the
fact that the district is almost completely developed, the death rate
will most probably rise in the years to come to something approaching
the national mortality. Among the causes of death cancer again
figures prominently, it being responsible, as in 1944, for the highest
proportion yet recorded of the total mortality. Next follow three
mortality figures which should give particular satisfaction in that they
are affected more directly than any other by the Council's health
services. Infant mortality at 23 per 1,000 live births is half that for
England and Wales, and is the lowest yet in Carshalton, the previous
best being 27 in 1942. It is hard to realise that only 25 years ago
this rate was three times higher. Maternal mortality was nil, there
being no deaths attributable to maternal causes. The death rate from
the seven principal infectious diseases known as the Zymotic Death
Rate was also a record low one for the district, only two deaths being
due to these infections during the year.
As to the prevalence of infectious disease, cases of scarlet fever
and whooping cough were much fewer than in the year before, with
no deaths from either. Diphtheria attacked 8 more residents, but
still many less than in pre-immunisation days, and with no fatality.
1945 was a " measles " year, and the expected epidemic wave duly
materialised and caused one death. There were no cases of typhoid,
paratyphoid or smallpox. The number of cases of tuberculosis rose
slightly, but the deaths fell to a level more favourable than before
the war.
The maternity and child welfare scheme continued to function
with marked success, and had the satisfaction of contributing to the
two remarkable achievements already mentioned, a record low infant
mortality and the absence of any maternal death. Public appreciation
of this service as evidenced by the attendances at the various clinics,
already at a high level, continued to increase. No fewer than 90 per
cent, of the babies born each year now attend the clinics—another
record figure—whilst the number of expectant mothers who received
ante-natal supervision either at our clinics or the associated county
hospital clinic represents 68 per cent, of the notified births, also the
highest yet. The scheme plays a major part in the welfare of mothers
and children. How much better it could do, had it but the advantages
of modern well-equipped health centres. The increasing request for
hospital accommodation for confinement noticed during the war persisted,
and although the percentage of expectant mothers provided
with hospital accommodation is now twice what it was in pre-war
years, the demand is not yet satisfied.
The general shortage of trained nurses had its repercussion on
the local hospital services. Both the County Hospital of St. Helier,
and the War Memorial Hospital were denied the use of many beds
owing to depletion of their staff, professional and domestic.
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