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The fact is notable that the birth-rate in St George's is persistently
higher than in London. This may, I think, be partly explained by the
fact that the limitation of families is carried into effect by the better-to-do
classes rather than by the poor. The figures 28.6 record the lowest birthrate
hitherto known in London.
Deaths and Death-rate for 1900.
1,275 deaths were registered in the parish during the fifty-two weeks
ending 30th December, 1900, giving an average of 24.5 per week. Of this
total 169 were deaths of non-parishioners in hospitals and asylums
within the district. In addition 546 parishioners died in outside public
institutions and extra metropolitan asylums. There were, therefore,
1,652 deaths amongst your parishioners, equivalent to an average
mortality of 27.1 per 1,000. The death-rate for all London in the same
year, excluding strangers, was 18.3 per 1,000, which is in itself, according
to many authorities, 2.3 more per 1,000 than should occur from " the
mortality incident to human nature." In St. George's, then, the deathtoll,
as it has been aptly called, claims 8.8 persons out of every 1,000
in excess of an already excessive rate. On the latter estimate, that of the
whole of London there have been some 534 unnecessary deaths in St.
George's, Southwark, during the year 1900, and, comparing it with the
ideal estimate, the unnecessary deaths number no less than 668.