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16
DEATHS OF INFANTS.
Twenty-seven and a half per cent. of the total deaths
from all causes were those of infants aged less than
twelve months; for out of 4,321 infants born alive, 652
died within one year of their birth; thus giving a rate,
calculated upon the total births, of 151 per thousand.
The corresponding rate for the whole of London is 129.
In the March quarter 25.7 per cent of the total births
during the year were registered but the proportion of
infantile deaths was only 22 per cent. of the yearly
number. In the June quarter the births were 24.7 per
cent. of the whole with 20 per cent. of the deaths. In
the September quarter the mortality increased, for
though only 25.8 per cent. of the yearly births were
registered yet the deaths rose to 31.5 per cent. In the
last quarter the births fell to 23.8 per cent. whilst the
infantile deaths registered were 26.3 per cent. of the
year's total. In the appendix will be found a new set
of tables (Table V. in four parts) referring exclusively
to infantile deaths. These tables are prepared by
direction of the Local Government Board and will
repay careful examination.
Of the total 652 infantile deaths, 140 a proportion of
21.5 per cent. occurred in the first week of life, and 203
or 31.2 per cent. in the first four weeks of life. In the
second month 11.4 and in the third 9.6 per cent. of the
total deaths during the first year occurred. The great
mortality during the first week of life is principally due
to ante-natal causes. Table V. shows that 124, or 88.6
per cent. of the deaths during this period, were due to
premature birth and congenital debility. Five newly