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the well-to-do, clerical and artisan classes of the population—those
in a position to give their children proper environmental care and
attention, whilst the relatively large families belong to those whose
financial circumstances in many cases prevent them from feeding,
housing, or clothing their children properly.
It would appear that parents at this end of the social and
economic scale have not recognised that unchecked and haphazard
bearing of children often imposes needless suffering.
The State, by the payment of Unemployment Benefit, the
granting of Public Assistance relief, the issue of milk for mothers
and children, the provision of health and infant welfare services,
endeavours to prevent the deterioration of physical standards of
the people at considerable financial cost to the community. It
is frequently stated that the economic position of this country will
not allow for some years to come of additional financial burdens to
be borne, but it is difficult to appreciate how this can be avoided if
the families of the particular section of the community referred to
continue to increase year after year.
Deaths
The deaths registered during the year 1932, after correction
for inward and outward transfers, numbered 2,983, representing a
death rate of 12.0 per 1,000, as compared with 11.9 in 1931.
The number of deaths of Camberwell residents which took
place in various institutions during the year was 1,766.
The deaths from infectious diseases include 2 from scarlet
fever, 14 from diphtheria, 30 from measles, 18 from whooping cough,
8 from cerebro spinal fever, 3 from encephalitis lethargica. There
were no deaths from typhoid or paratyphoid fever, or from dysentery.
Deaths from all forms of tuberculosis were 20 fewer, viz., 248
as compared with 268 in 1931, and accounted for 8'3 per cent. of
total deaths. Of these deaths 214 were ascribed to tuberculosis of
the respiratory system, a decrease of 27 as compared with the
previous year.
Deaths from pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza and other
respiratory diseases show a decline of 80 as compared with 1931;
pneumonia deaths having decreased by 46, bronchitis by 16, influenza
by 8, and other respiratory diseases by 10. This group was
responsible for 14 4 per cent. of the total deaths.
Deaths from diseases of the heart and circulatory system
numbered 808, an increase of 15 as compared with 1931. This
group was responsible for the largest number of deaths, equalling
27 per cent. of the total.
Malignant disease was stated to be responsible for 396 deaths
representing 13.2 per cent. of the total deaths.