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15
The figures in this table are not averages, but the actual rates
for the areas enumerated in the periods named.
The rates, both for the Borough and the two sub-districts,
each show a reduction of about 10 per cent. when the last decade
(1929-38) is compared with that preceding it.
In the wards, however, though a reduction is shown in every
case it varies from as little as 0.85 per cent. (Church Ward) to
24.5 per cent. in Nine Elms Ward. Another large reduction—
24 per cent.—occurs in the case of St. John Ward, which shows the
lowest rate for the last 10 years.
In the 4 wards where the rate during 1919-1928 was heaviest
(i.e., above the Borough rate), it was reduced by 11 per cent. in the
following decade, whereas in the remaining 5 Wards the reduction
was 7.25 per cent. only.
The mortality rate in Battersea among female infants has,
since the war, been roughly three-fourths of that for male infants,
the actual figures being, females 55.2, males 70.4 per 1,000 births.
There were 31 deaths of infants during the first four weeks of
life (or 27.4 per cent. of the total infant deaths) as compared with
62 deaths (or 41.1 per cent.) in 1937 and a percentage for the quinquennium
1932-1937 of 44.6.
As already shown the infant death rate in the last ten years
has decreased by about 10 per cent., as compared with the previous
decade. The ratio of the number of deaths in the first 4 weeks of
life to those in the first twelve months has, however, actually increased
(from 42.4 to 43.1 per cent.), thus illustrating the fact that
the measures taken to reduce infant mortality have been less
successful in the very early weeks of life than in a later stage.
Indeed it is recognised that the saving of infant life in the neo-natal
period can only be effected by ante-natal care and skilled treatment
of the mother at confinement. The new municipal mid-wifery
services, and the extension of ante.natal centres may, perhaps,
succeed in the field where child welfare clinics have been least
successful.