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to our general death rate, of 1.5 per thousand living at all
ages, if it were not compensated for to a certain extent by
differences in the numbers living at other ages. The actual
or recorded death rate in any district serves the purpose of
comparing one year with another, but when the comparative
healthiness of different areas is estimated by their different
death rates, it is necessary to consider also the differences
which exist in the constitution of their respective populations
with regard to sex and age.
BIRTHS.
The number of births registered in the Parish was 3435,
being 50 less than in the previous year, and 164 below the
decennial average. The number of male children born was
1723, and of females, 1712. The annual birth rate was 39.0
per thousand of the estimated population. In many districts
this would be considered a high birth rate, but in Bermondsey
it is the lowest which has occurred during the last twelve
years. It has been decreasing for five years, and I anticipate
a further decline. The London birth rate was 33.9 per thousand,
which is the lowest recorded since 1860, when it was
33 .6.
The number of births in the Leather Market District was
617; in the St. Mary Magdalen District, 610; and in St.
James's, 2208.
In the first quarter of the year there were 896 births; in
the second quarter, 888; in the third quarter, 829; and in
the fourth quarter, 822.
The excess of births over deaths, was 1712. The natural
increase of the population is 2.05 per cent. The estimated
increase is 0.77 per cent.
DEATHS.
The total number of deaths registered was 1722, but as one
death was twice registered, the actual number was 1721, of