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26
VITAL STATISTICS.
It is important, when comparing the vital statistics
between one or more divisions of a district, or between various
boroughs, that due consideration should be given to the varying
conditions under which the residents of such divisions or
districts live. Density of population, emigration and immigration,
social position, wealth or poverty, age and sex
distribution, employment or occupation, the existence of
hospitals, infirmaries, asylums, &c., receiving patients from
outside districts, play an important part in the comparison.
The absence of such information may seriously affect
the accuracy of statistical returns. In this Borough the
decennial increase in population by immigration was more
than 2.5 times the natural increase which accrued by the excess
of births over deaths. *In the registration district of Lewisham
the increase in population during the intercensal period,
1891-1901, was 41,299, of which number only 11,655 was due to
the natural increase of births over deaths.
ESTIMATED POPULATION.
The census returns were obtained on April 1st, 1901,
shewing an enumerated population of 127,495 persons. All
vital statistics should be calculated upon the population of a
district estimated to be living at the middle of each year.
The estimated number of persons living at all ages within
the borough at the middle of the year 1901 amounted to 128,480,
which figure will form the basis of future calculations.
BIRTHS.
The total number of births registered in the borough
during the year amounted to 3,320, of which 1,692 were males
and 1,628 females.
* The Registration District of Lewisham is not co-terminous with (he Borough.
This does not, however, seriously alter the vaule of the comparison.