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From this table it is evident that the birth rate is falling steadily for Bermondsey, as it is
doing not only in London, but in almost all civilized countries. I mentioned in my last annual
report those general causes which are said to contribute to this fall, viz.:—(1) postponement of
marriage to a later age. (2) Easy attainment of divorce, e.g. France and America. (3) Voluntary
avoiding among married couples of having families.
The question of sterility is a very difficult one, and cannot be fully explained by any or
all of the above causes. While famine and luxury seem to have a lowering effect on the birth
rate, a moderate degree of prosperity, with a generally high degree of vitality, would seem to have
the opposite effect. As Darwin points out in his " Origin of Species," certain native races seem
to die out from pure sterility. As far as Bermondsey is concerned, none of the above causes in
my opinion explains the fall fully. Other factors, such as a change in the constitution of the
population as to age and sex, employment of so many young women in factories and workshops,
etc., have to be taken into account.
Marriages.
The total number of marriages in 1903 was 1101, being 22 below that for 1902, and 37 above
the average for the last ten years.
In table VI. of Appendix will be found the figures for the three registration sub-districts.
These have been supplied by the Superintendent Registrar.
Deaths.
The total number of deaths registered in the Borough during the 52 weeks ending January
2nd, 1904, was 1,973, which is 350 less than 1902, and 600 less than the average for the last ten
years. When this figure is corrected by exclusion of deaths of non-parishioners occurring in the
district, and inclusion of deaths of parishioners occuring outside the district, the number is raised
to 2,382. This is 374 less than 1902, and 554 less than the corresponding average for the last
ten years. The annexed Table shows the distribution of deaths in quarters. The largest
number of deaths occurred in the first and fourth quarters. There is, however, a more even
distribution of deaths in the quarters than usual. This is probably due to the mild winter of
1902-3
Table B. —Deaths.
Rotherhithe.
St. Olave's.
Quarter.
Bermondsey.
Whole Borough.
First
400
627
48
179
Second
330
160
58
548
Third
132
51
545
362
184
662
Fourth
431
47
Total Deaths
204
2382
1523
655
The death rate of the Borough for 1903 was 18.4 per 1000 living inhabitants, being 2.8
below that for 1902, and 3.4 below the average for the last ten years. This is the lowest
death rate recorded in the Borough of Bermondsey or any of its sub-divisions during the last
twelve years at least, and probably ever recorded. As will be seen by examining Table C, the
same remarks would apply to the sub-divisions with the exception of St. Olave's. lam inclined
to think that the last sub-division gets more than its proper share of deaths, since relatively to
its area there is a large and important river frontage, where bodies of unknown persons are
found. A single death more than the average makes a much greater difference in the rate here,
owing to the smallness of the population, than in Bermondsey or Rotherhithe.
This lowered death rate is very satisfactory. The causes which principally contributed to
it were the small number of deaths in bronchitis and pneumonia, the absence of small-pox deaths,
and a much lowered mortality in measles, diarrhoea, and cancer.
In column 1, at the foot of Table I. of the Appendix, will be found a list of places where
the deaths of non-parishioners occurred in the district. 13 such deaths occurred in the
St. Olave's Infirmary, 14 in the River Thames, 3 in the Surrey Commercial Docks, 3 in St. Olave's
Workhouse, 1 in Railway Arch, Silwood Street, 1 at 21, Camilla Road, 1 at Lloyd's, Mill Street,
1 at Horseferry Dry Dock, 1 at Deptford Road Station, 1 at 211, Lower Road, and 1 at 5, Fair
Street.
There were 40 deaths of non-parishioners registered as occurring in the district in 1903.
This is about the average number, the number 63 which occurred last year being due to smallpox
deaths at the wharf.
449 parishioners belonging to this Borough died in outlying institutions, against 496 in
1903. The names of the various places where the deaths occurred will be found in columns
2 and 3 at foot of Table I. of Appendix. The numbers for the previous ten years will be found
in Table 1., and it will be seen, though they vary considerably, that, as stated in last year's
report, they show a tendency to increase. The decrease this year is a part of a general decrease in
nearly all causes of death.
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