View report page

18
Infantile Mortality.
141 deaths of infants under 12 months of age were registered during the
year, equal to an infant mortality rate of 136 8 per 1000 births.
This shows a reduction of 38 in the number of deaths and 32 5 in the
mortality rate on comparison with the official figures for last year.
The official figures, however, include all births and iniant deaths registered
in the district, and more accurate statistics are obtained by deducting births
and infant deaths of non-residents, and making the calculation on those only
properly belonging to the locality.
By doing this the real number of infant deaths for the year is 125,
compared to 167 in 1904, and the infant mortality rate is 127.0 per 1000
births compared to 167 8.
This reduction of 42 in actual numbers of infantile deaths and 40 8 in
the infantile mortality rate per 1000 births is undoubtedly satisfactory, but
in considering the causes that have brought it about, one important factor
must not be overlooked, namely the fewer children born. Amongst residents
only there were 20 births less in 1904 than in 1903, and in 1905 11 less
than in 1904. These are actual facts, not estimated figures, and the decrease
in the number of children born has taken place in spite of the large increase
in the population of the district during the past two years. It is obvious
that the number of children under 12 months of age in 1905 must be influenced
very largely by the number born during 1904.
The number of children bom has a greater effect on the general deathrate
on all ages than on the infant mortality rate, because the former is
calculated on an estimated population and includes deaths at all ages, and
the most fatal period of life is the first year. The infant mortality rate is
calculated on actual births and infant deaths.
Hitherto four tables dealing with vital statistics have been issued officially
by the central authority to be filled in and included in the annual reports
of all local Medical Officers of Health every year. This year for the first
time a fifth table dealing in detail with infant mortality has been issued, and
is included in this Report. Up to the present time all deaths of infants under
12 months of age have been grouped together as infantile deaths, and except
where special reports have been drawn up no information has been available
as to the ages in weeks or months of the infants included. The importance
of making some sub-division will be realised by anybody who takes the trouble