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The Holborn birth-rate 18.3 and the London birth-rate 25.6 are both the
lowest recorded.
The Holborn death-rate, 16.6, and the London death-rate, 14.6 per 1,000 are
both the lowest death-rates recorded. The lowest death-rates in previous years in
Holborn were 16.9 in 1905, 17.0 in 1906 and 17.9 in 1904. The average deathrate
for the preceding decennium was 19.9 per 1,000 in Holborn, and 16.9 per
1,000 in London.
The corrected infantile mortality was 131 per 1,000, in comparison with 116
for London. Last year these rates were 128 and 151 respectively.
The death-rate from zymotic diseases in Holborn was again very low and
below that for London, viz.1.29 in comparison with 142 per 1,000 which are
both less than in the preceding year.
On account of the cold, showery summer there was very little prevalence of
diarrhoea during the year, the number of deaths having been only 16 in comparison
with 39 in the preceding year and a decennial average of 38.
The death-rate from Consumption has increased from 2.12 in 1906 to 2.28 in
1907, on the other hand, the London rate has decreased from 144 to 140 per 1,000.
The rates for the preceding decennium were, Holborn 2.85 and London 1.63.
Although there was increased prevalence of infectious disease in London last
year, especially Scarlet Fever, the number of notifications in the Borough was
again very small, being only 276, the same as for 1906.
The notification rate for Holborn was again much lower than that for London
generally, having been 5.0 per 1,000 in comparison with 8.6 for London. During
the past six years this rate has always been lower than the London rate, and
during the past four years, less than half of the rate for the years 1901 and 1902.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board, in view of the continued prevalence of
Scarlet Fever, notwithstanding the extensive isolation accommodation which has
been provided, asked the Local Government Board to cause inquiry to be instituted
into the cause of this disease and whether any, and if so what, further means can
be adopted for its prevention. Under the heading "Scarlet Fever" I point out
that during the past eighteen years, in which the notification of infectious disease
has been in force, there has in several years been even a greater prevalence of
Scarlet Fever, and that during the past nine years there has been a reduction of
more than 22 per cent. of the cases notified per 1,000 as compared with the first
nine years; also that the mortality per centage of patients treated, and the
mortality rate per 1,000 have diminished about one-half during the same period.
Also, that many scientific researches and expert inquiries respecting Scarlet Fever
have been made.
At a conference of the representatives of the City and Metropolitan Borough
Councils held at the Paddington Town Hall, resolutions were passed that Pulmonary