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VITAL STATISTICS.
Vital Statistics for these years are very satisfactory.
The Birth Rate dropped from 14.2 per 1,000 of the population
in 1940 to 13.06 with 123 less actual births. The 1942
figure has, however, shown a gratifying increase and at 16.05
is the highest recorded since 1926, as reference to Table II
on Page 17 will show. The number of births was 1,069, the
highest figure ever reached for the district.
The Death Rate for these years, 1940, 1941, and 1942 are
7.2, 10.4, 8.8 per 1,000 population compared with the corresponding
figures for England and Wales as a whole of 14.3,
12.9, and 11.6.

The Infant Mortality figure always claims special attention
as it is generally regarded as an index of environment and
hygiene. Our Infant Mortality has only been lower on two
occasions in the past twenty years; in 1923 it was 27, and in
1932 it was 29.
Analysis of these deaths always shows a high proportion
occurring in the first month of life. Actually, of the 32 infant
deaths in 1940, 28 occurred in the first month representing
84 per cent. of the total. These deaths in the first month of
life are referred to as neo-natal deaths; and it is in this group
of infant deaths that reduction must be looked for before any
further considerable reduction in the infant mortality can be
achieved in the future.
The Infant Mortality Rate for England and Wales has
dropped from 130 to 50 in the past thirty years, a tribute to
the improvement in Infant Care. The reduction has not,
however, been in the neo-natal group, the group of infant
deaths associated with childbirth, many of which occur in the
first week. Improvement in Infant Care has effected this
praiseworthy reduction in the past few decades: our future
energies must be directed to improvement in ante-natal and
obstetrical care of the mother to effect the further reduction
in the total infant mortality by reducing his neo-natal group
of infant deaths.
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