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which from an infective point of view is the most
important form of the disease as a standard, we find
that the average death-rate for the past five years,
1918 to 1922, is 1·08, as compared with a rate of 1·41
for the five years 1900 to 1904, thus showing a fall of
approximately 25 per cent, in 18 years. In Fulham
this fall really began in the year 1919, although the year
1910 showed a low rate among many high ones. It is
hoped that the comprehensive tuberculosis scheme now
in operation in London may lead to a gradual decline
in this death-rate, although at present the scheme is
handicapped, as pointed out later in this report by the
tuberculosis officer, by insufficient institutional accommodation
for advanced and therefore infective cases.
Infantile Mortality.—Of the 1,935 deaths, 224, or
11·5 per cent., were of infants under one year of age,
and the rate of infant mortality measured by the
proportion of deaths under one year of age to registered
births, was 69 per 1,000, being 14 per 1,000 below that
of 1921.
This rate of 69 per 1,000 births is the lowest rate
ever recorded in the borough and compares very
favourably with other Metropolitan Boroughs, and with
London as a whole. The rate for London was 74,
and for England and Wales as a whole 77. The causes
of the deaths of infants during 1922 are set out in
Table III, and classified according to age and ward.
The infantile mortality rate in Fulham since 1886 is
given in the subjoined table, which shows very clearly
the great advance made in this important matter. If
the infantile mortality rate of 1886-1890 had persisted
until this year, no less than 551 infants would have died
during 1922, as compared with the actual number of
deaths, 224. This shows a saving of 327 infant lives
for the year.