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4
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Battersea.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the health
and sanitary state of the Borough for the year 1923.
The vital and morbid statistics show a remarkable improvement
over those of any previous year in the Parish or Borough
of Battersea.
The birth-rate is slightly lower than that for 1922, and it is
evident that the downward trend of the birth-rate in Battersea, as
in England and Wales, continues to be maintained. This is the
only unsatisfactory feature of the year's statistics.
The death-rate (10.8 per 1,000) shows a very considerable
decrease over that for the previous year, and is no less than 2.4 per
cent, lower. This is easily the lowest death-rate ever recorded in
Battersea.
The infant mortality rate (49 per 1,000 births) shows a very
remarkable decrease as compared with that for 1922, which was up
to then the lowest recorded in Battersea. The great saving in
infant life which has been effected in recent years is a most gratifying
feature of the Annual Reports. A comparison of the figures in the
tables in that section of the Report dealing with Infant Mortality
in Battersea is of interest. For the decennia 1891-1900 the Infant
Mortality was 162 per 1,000 births; 1901-1910, 126 per 1,000;
1911-1920, 96 per 1,000. It is interesting to note, also, that the
decline in the infant death rate has been more progressive in Battersea
than in London as a whole. There are, of course, many causes
assigned for this great and progressive decrease in the death-rate of
infants under 1 year of age, e.g., diminished consumption of alcohol,
declining birth-rate, &c., but there can be no question that the
organised schemes of Municipalities for the Welfare of Women and
Children have played a very important part in the results obtained.
There was a decline in the incidence of all infectious diseases
except whooping-cough as compared with the previous year.
The death-rate from Tuberculosis (all forms) was the lowest
yet recorded in Battersea. The notifications received were also
lower than in any year since the disease was made compulsorily
notifiable. The steady advance which has taken place in connection
with the fight against Tuberculosis in the Borough should encourage
the hope that more suitable premises for the Borough Tuberculosis
Dispensary will, in the near future, be found for carrying on this
most important work.