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26
It will be seen from the foregoing table that there is a marked difference in the mortality among
children under one year of age when the least and most overcrowded groups of districts are compared.
This agrees with the figures in corresponding tables published in previous annual reports. If the figures
for each of the trimesters are considered in this connection, it will be seen that the same behaviour of
the mortality is observable. This will be better appreciated by reference to the following table, in which
the mortality of the least overcrowded group of districts is taken as 100 c—

It will be seen from this table that in each successive trimester of the first year of life the
difference in the mortality obtaining for the several groups of districts becomes more pronounced.
The figures for 1909 are in general agreement with those for the period 1905-8.
Similar results are obtained if the grouping of districts is based upon the percentage of children,
aged 5-14 years, scheduled for education purposes. Thus:—

In this table the rates are calculated upon the number of survivors at the commencement of
each trimester. Reference may here be made to diagram IV., which shows the infantile mortality
rate for the quinquennium 1905-9 in relation to social condition.
The improvement in the death-rate in 1909 has not been shared equally by all classes of the
population, but has been experienced in greater degree by the population of districts better circumstanced
than by those not so well circumstanced.

Comparing Group I. and Group V., with regard to certain groups of causes of death, it is found
that the decline per cent. in 1909 as compared with 1905 has been as follows:—
Group I. Group V.
Diarrhoeal diseases 55 28
Wasting diseases 17 4
Tubercular diseases 34 20
Respiratory diseases (including pneumonia) 16 13
The death-rates in the more favoured group of districts have, therefore, responded in greater
degree in respect of all these classes of disease to the more favourable conditions of 1909 than the
rates of the groups of less favoured districts, and this difference manifests itself even in the deaths
from suffocation, which in Group I. had declined 40 per cent., and in Group V. 27 per cent.
Most of the annual reports of medical officers of health give account of the action which is being
taken in their districts to reduce infantile mortality. For this purpose the homes in which births
have occurred are visited and advice is given as to the immediate and future care of the infants. In
See footnote (2), page 25.