[Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Hythe Borough.

  • Hythe (Kent, England). Borough Council.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Hythe Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/48
    Annual Reports of the Medical Officer of Health and Chief Public Health Inspector for the Year 1957* Mr. Mayor, Alderman and Councillors, I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report for the year 1957* The Registrar-General’s estimate of the mid-year Home Population of the Borough was 9>730, which was an increase of 130 over that of 1956. Birth Rate The number of births was 103 (43 male, 60 female) which was an increase of 9 over that of 1956. The crude birth-rate was accordingly 10.59; this low rate is an index that there is a preponderance of aged residents in the Borough for which the comparability factor of the Registrar General makes allowance and when this is applied the rate becomes 12.81. This rate, however, is still appreciably lower than that of 16.1 for England and Wales. Stillbirth Rate The number of stillbirths was 2, and the rate was accordingly 19*04 per 1.000 total (live and still) births and was lower than that of 22.4 Tor England and Wales. The maintenance of a low rate is dependant upon adequate examinations before birth and skilled attention at birth. Infant Mortality Rate Two infant deaths were registered. Both were neo-natal deaths and were due to (i) Prematurity; (ii) Ataleotasis and prematurity. Prematurity is generally the chief cause of infant deaths. The infantile mortality rate was accordingly 19«42, and lower than that of 23.0 for England and Wales. Maternal Mo: 1^ ’ There were no deaths from Pregnancy, Childbirth and Abortion, and this rate was therefore nil. Since the beginning of the Century, this rate has been lowered throughout the Country from 5 to under 1 per 1,000 total (live and still) births. The chief cause of maternal deaths is now Toxaemia of pregnancy, which is also a major cause of stillbirths and infants deaths shortly after birth. Inadequate ante-natal care has been shown to be the most common avoidable factor. Early diagnosis and treatment of Toxaemia are essential to prevent a fatal termination. Death Rate The total number of deaths from all causes was 118, and the crude death rate was 12.85. As stated in relation to the birth-rate there is a preponderance of aged retired people in the Borough in whom the mortality rate is naturally higher. The comparability factor of the Registrar General compensates for this for comparison of the rate with that of other Districts and when applied the adjusted rate becomes 9.25 which is lower than that of 11.5 for England and Wales. ■ The chief cause of deaths was Heart and Circulatory Diseases and Vascular lesions of the Nervous System; these are usually the terminal and natural causes of death in old age. Disease of the coronary artery of the heart caused 12 deaths; although this disease attacks many middle-aged persons, none of