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30
In the Borough of Lewisham the infant mortality rate
amounted to 75 per 1,000 births, compared with 87 in the preceding
year, and 103, the mean rate for the seven years 1902-8.
This rate is the lowest in London and the lowest rate recorded
in the history of Lewisham daring any period for which
statistics are available.
Causes of Death.—During the year 262 deaths occurred
among children under one year, compared with 315 in 1908.
Of these 262 deaths, 85 were recorded as due to conditions
which must be considered unavoidable, namely, Premature
Birth (58) Congenital Defects (20) and Injury at Birth (7).
Again, 52 were registered under the headings of Atrophy,
Debility, and Marasmus, diseases mainly due to errors of feeding.
Bronchitis and Pneumonia were responsible for 35, Suffocation
and Overlaying for six deaths, which in all probability could
have been prevented.
Diarrhœal diseases, which include all forms of diarrhœa,
enteritis not tuberculous, gastritis, gastro-intestinal catarrh,
gastro-enteritis and muco-enteritis, to a very great extent preventable
diseases, were responsible for 32.
Seven deaths were certified as Measles and 17 Whooping
Cough, compared with 7 and 17 respectively in 1908. Scarlet
Fever and Diptheria were each responsible for one death. Seven
deaths were due to some form of tubercular disease (consumption),
and 32 to diseases unclassified or ill-defined, such as convulsions.
The Percentage of deaths under three months to total deaths
under one year shews a slight improvement, the figures being as
follows:—
Year 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909
Rate 56% 50% 57% 51% 58% 57% 47%