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SICKNESS. 5
The Act requires the notification of miscarriages after a pregnancy of twenty-eight
weeks, as well as of still-births at term. Seventy-two (72) children were reported as still-born
during the past year, equal to 2.6 per cent. of all the births reported, as compared with 2.8
per cent. in 1909. The proportion of miscarriages is not known.
The legitimate births notified numbered 2,620 [68 (2.5 per cent.) being still-born], and
the illegitimate, 72 [4 (5.5 per cent.) still-born]. The illegitimate births notified were equal
to 2.6 per cent. of all births, as compared with 5.3 per cent. of registered births. From the
Workhouse 104 certificates were received, 5 (4.8 per cent.) relating to still-births, and from
nursing homes, 19 (all children being born alive). The births of 42 twins, and one set of
triplets were notified last year, as compared with 30 twins and one quadruplet in 1909. Of
the children born at multiple births reported last year only two (twins) were notified as
still-born.
The number of notifications received each quarter rose from 641 in the first to 693 in the
fourth, and the ratio of births registered after notification followed the same course. The
improvement in notification is clearly shown in the appended figures which give the
ratios (percentages) of births which were registered in each of the three Registration
Sub-Districts and the whole Borough after notification.

The corresponding tabulation with respect to Wards has not been made, but comparing
the numbers of births belonging to each Ward with the notifications received therefrom, it
appears that the notifications exceeded the registrations in Westbourne (104.3) and Lancaster
Gate, East, (101.8). The excess in the former Ward is explained by the presence of the
Workhouse, but the reason for that in the latter cannot be given. In the other Wards, Harrow
Road (96.8 percent.) showed the highest, and Lancaster Gate, West, (78.0 per cent.) the lowest.
Prosecutions were ordered by the Council with respect to 41 failures to comply with the
Act, the results of which will be found under legal proceedings.
SICKNESS.
There was a most satisfactory reduction in the number of cases of infectious disease
reported during the year, the total cases decreasing from 942 in 1909 to 523 last year
(Table 4). In 1908 they numbered 970. Fewer cases of each disease were reported with the
exceptions of enteric (typhoid) fever—an increase of 11 cases—and puerperal fever—an
increase of 6 cases. Too much importance should not be attached to the increase in the
crude number of cases of the former disease, owing to the frequency of mistake in diagnosis.
The true state of the case will become evident when the diseases themselves are dealt with.
(See Enteric Fever). The morbidity rates showed considerable decreases below the mean
rates for the preceding quinquennium (Table 4) except in the cases of the two diseases