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15
in nearly all civilised countries, and is greater in reality than
would appear on the surface; for it must be remembered that
pari passu with this declining birth-rate is a declining death-rate.
Returns of all Births (with addresses of mothers) that occur in
Lambeth are now obtained from the District Registrars, and this
information will be of great use in connection with the Borough
Council's endeavcurs to lessen the high mortality amongst infants
(under 1 year of age), by dis:ributing amongst the mothers
pamphlets dealing with the proper management and feeding of
infants.
The Council during 1905 approved the principle of transferring
to the Borough Councils the registration of births and deaths.
THE MARRIAGE-RATE.
The number of Marriages registered in the Borough of
Lambeth during the year 1905 was 2525 as compared with 2480
during 1904, and a yearly average of 2338 in the old Parish of
Lambeth for the 10 years 1891-1900.
The marriage-rate for Lambeth Borough during 1905 is,
therefore, 16.3 per 1000 inhabitants, as compared with 16.9 for
London.
Tables B and C show the number of marriages and the
marriage-rates for the last ten years in the old Parish of
Lambeth, and it will again be noticed that the marriage-rate has
been gradually, but persistently, falling during that period (as
also during the previous decennium). Marriage statistics are of
little value from a sanitary stand-point.
THE DEATH-RATE.
The total number of deaths registered in the Borough of
Lambeth, during the year 1905, was 4896 as compared with
5160 during 1904, and a yearly average of 5716.7 in the old
Parish of Lambeth for the 10 years 1891-1903. Of the total