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2. Deaths attributable to weakness from birth.—Fifty-seven
such deaths occurred during last year. Thirty-two of these, or 56
per cent., occurred under the age of one month. These facts are
noteworthy, and indicate that in a large number of cases all is not
well with the child at birth. The birth-rate has fallen from 3T25
in 1906 to 2394 in 1911, and it is certainly to be questioned if the
causes operating to produce a low birth-rate do not also tend to
produce weakly off-spring.
3. Deaths attributable to overlying.—It is to be regretted that
three deaths occurred during the year from this preventable cause,
and it is to be hoped that such deaths will soon disappear from the
list of causes of death. Parents under no circumstances should sleep
with their young children.
4. Deaths attributable to common infectious diseases.—I desire
specially to draw attention to the 11 deaths from Whooping Cough.
Whooping Cough and Measles year by year produce more deaths
than all other common infectious diseases, and the Local Authority
requires to take action in connection with these diseases. Some
measure of hospital treatment should be provided for these cases,
and the Isolation Hospital might well be made use of for the worst
cases.
NOTIFICATION OF BIRTHS ACT, 1907.
This Act came into operation in this District on July 1st, 1911,
and shortly afterwards, the Health Visitors came on duty to work
the Act. The dates of their coming on duty are given above. This
is an Act which I am sure will have the best possible results. The
foregoing analysis of the main causes of infantile mortality in this
District, shews that want of breast feeding is one of the most
important causes of the loss of infant life. If mothers can be taught
that natural feeding is the best and cheapest food for the infant,
then many lives of infants will be saved. The education of the
mother in this respect must take place early, and to this end the
Act is of service in providing the necessary information as regards
the births of infants. All births are visited about the 14th day, and