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The death rate from all causes per 1,000 total population is 10.47,
compared with 10.95 in 1950 and 12.5 for England and Wales. Of the
372 deaths, diseases of the heart and circulatory system accounted for
120 (32.26 per cent. of total deaths), cancer 69 (18.55 per cent. of total
deaths), and tuberculosis 6 (1.61 per cent. of total deaths).
The maternal mortality rate per 1,000 total births is nil, as compared
with 0.70 for England and Wales.
For the fifth year in succession, the Corporation will view with
satisfaction the record of maternal health, as shown by the previous
paragraph. No maternal deaths—that is, deaths during pregnancy from
puerperal sepsis or other maternal causes—were recorded during the
year.
The infantile mortality rate was 23.94 per 1,000 live births in 1951.
The figures on which this rate is based were 9 infants, who died under
the age of 1 year, out of 376 live births. On page 19 will be found an
analysis of the causes of death. Congenital defects were present in six
infants who died, the majority of these surviving for only a few days or
weeks. Prematurity was also noted in 3 cases.
There has been a very slight fall in the death rate. Most deaths,
which occurred in the Borough, were amongst old people. Diseases of
the heart and circulatory system accounted for a very considerable
proportion. Deaths from cancer showed a slight fall, as also did deaths
from cerebral haemorrhage (stroke). Diseases of the respiratory system,
however, accounted for a higher proportion of deaths than in the previous
year.
It will be noted that the birth rate, at 11.17 per 1,000 total population,
and the death rate, at 10.47, have come very close indeed. The reports
over the previous 5 years for this Borough have continued to show an
annual fall in the birth rate; the rate of England and Wales, too, is showing
a constant decrease annually. This is the first time, in this district, however,
that the two rates, death rate and birth rate, have come to a point where
they almost coincide.
As has been mentioned in previous reports, an ever-increasing and
pressing problem is the effect of a decreasing birth rate upon the population.
On a national scale, we shall be faced with the dilemma of providing
for an ever-increasing aged population out of the productivity of an
ever-diminishing youthful productive force. Socially and economically,
two solutions suggest themselves, at the extremes of life. One is an
increase in the birth rate, and the other a revision of the age at which
retirement commences and production ceases.
The Minister of National Insurance, reporting on the year 1951, has
pointed out that 290,000 new pensions were awarded. The total number
of retirement pensioners during the year increased to 4,100,000. The cost
of retirement pensions in the year ended 31st March, 1951, was
£248,500,000. The Minister estimates that in 1953/54, the sum will be
£350,000,000 a year, out of a total expenditure from the National
Insurance Fund of £540,000,000.
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