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Public Health Department,
92, Bath Road,
Hounslow.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Heston and Isleworth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1958- The report has
been prepared on the lines suggested by the Ministry of Health and the larger statistical
tables have been grouped together at the end of the report. It is inevitable that some
items in the report show little or no variation from year to year. Yearly changes occur
in statistical tables, and while such variations must be observed and studied, a better
view is obtained by studying the trends over a period of years.
The increase in the birth rate recorded last year has not been maintained. This
year the Borough rate (12-0) is the lowest in the 26 Middlesex districts and well below
the rate of 16.4 of England and Wales. Approximately 80 per cent, of local births still
occur in hospital.
The death rate has remained fairly constant over recent years and closely approximates
to the national rate. The majority of deaths occurred at age 65 years and
over, The chief causes of local deaths during working life (15 - 64 years) and at higher
ages for the last five years are shown below as percentages of all deaths at the specified
ages;
15 - 64 years 65 years and over
Cancer 32.9 13.9
Cerebral Haemorrhage 10.5 13.6
Coronary Disease 16.5 15.5
Other Heart and Circulatory disease 11.3 24.6
Bronchitis and Pneumonia 5.9 13.0
Accident 4.8 1.8
It will be noted that the same causes account for just over 80 per cent of the
deaths in both age groups but cancer accidents and coronary disease are relatively
greater killers during working life.
There were 63 deaths from cancer of the lung compared with an average of 46 per
year during the previous five years. Evidence continues to grow to support the view
that there is an association between cigarette smoking and cancer of the lung. The
evidence comes from many countries but as yet the exact nature of the association has
not been elucidated. According to official returns no reduction in the consumption of
cigarettes is occurring in this countfy. There is a growing preference for filter tip
cigarettes, but I know of no evidence to show that filter tips give any re«U protection.
It appears that most confirmed smokers will continue to take the risk and, against this
example and the flood of trade advertisements, it is difficult to dissuade youth from
starting cigarette smoking. It is most disquietening that investigations have shown that
cigarette smoking is already fairly prevalent among older school children.
The infant mortality rate and the tuberculosis death rate are the lowest in the
local records, while this is gratifying, deaths from accidents, coronary disease, etc.
continue unabated. The death rate from coronary and other degenerative heart conditions
has been rising steadily. The rise has been fairly rapid in recent years. The increase
in the average age of the population has played some part in this but the rise has been
as marked in the 25-64 year group as in the 65 years and over group. Much research continues
to be devoted to this problem, various aspects of modern life e.g. sedentary work,
diet with special reference to intake of fat, cigarette smoking, emotional stress, etc.
appear to be possible contributory factors, but the real cause awaits discovery. The
research has shown the importance of the basic rules of health - an adequate and balanced
diet, reasonable physical exercise, sufficient sleep and rest and a tranquil mind.
Moderation in all things may not be an attractive philosophy, but its practical value
has been realised throughout the ages.
In general, the infectious disease incidence in the Borough was low and most
infections were of a mild type, while the newer drugs have greatly strengthened our
treatment of infection it should not be forgotten that germs and insects can adapt themselves
to changes. Most flies are now resistant to D.D.T. and the recent increase in
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