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108
Cancer.
During the year 1930, 69 deaths were recorded as due to Cancer in comparison
with 61 in the previous year. The deaths in 1930 were equal to a rate of 1.79 per
thousand, the corresponding rate in 1929 being 1.58 per thousand. In the year
1910 the death rate from Cancer in the Borough was 1.16, the decennial average
rate, was 1.27 for the ten years, 1910-1919, and 144 for the ten years, 1920-1929.
It will be seen that the death rate from Cancer in the Borough in 1930 was
higher than in the previous year, being 1.79 per thousand in comparison with 1.58 per
thousand. The rate, however, for one year in districts of comparatively small populations
does not furnish a reliable indication of the prevalence of a particular disease. The decennial
rates which afford much more reliable indication of the seriousness of Cancer show that in the
past 20 years there has apparently been a marked increase in the death rate from this disease,
for while the decennial average for the ten years, 1910-1919, was 1.27, the corresponding rate
for the ten years, 1920-1929, was 1.44. Some part of this increase may reasonably be attributed
to improved facilities for diagnosis. The figures indicate the high mortality from malignant
diseases.
Foundling Hospital Site.
In the Annual Report, 1929, reference was made to the utilisation of a portion
of the site of the Foundling Hospital as a play centre for children. Its use for the
purpose was continued during 1930. In addition there was established on the site
a day nursery towards the cost of which the Council was asked to contribute. The
accommodation at the day nursery includes reception room, bath room, isolation
room, play room, kitchen and staff rooms, milk store, perambulator shed and an
outside sleeping place. Although the site is just outside the Borough border the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee were of opinion that the proposed day
nursery would usefully serve a portion of the Holborn Borough. A contribution of
£100 towards the cost was therefore made. At the same time a number of
improvements were suggested by the Medical Officer of Health all of which the
promoters of the nursery willingly accepted and carried out.
Provision is also made on the site for a nursery school and open-air classes.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Notification of Births.
During the year 255 births were registered as occurring in the Borough.
During the same period 221 notifications of births occurring in the Borough were
received. Of these, '197 were from doctors and midwives, 24 from parents.
The mothers were attended at their confinement by: —
Private Doctors 27
Private Midwives 49
Out-patient Midwifery Departments of General Hospitals and
Institutions: —
Externs and others 52
Midwives.—University College Hospital 25
Middlesex Hospital 18
Other Institutions 9
Training Institution for Midwives, Myddelton
Square 41
221
Six of these notifications related to stillbirths.