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period of pregnancy, at the time of confinement, and during the
lying-in period.
Maternal Mortality Investigation.
The practice of investigating all maternal deaths was continued
throughout the year, and a confidential report on Form 97/MCW
was forwarded in every case to the Ministry of Health.
Infantile Mortality.
Of the 3,005 deaths of persons of all ages which occurred
among Camberwell residents in 1933, 160, or 5.32 per cent., were in
respect of infants under one year of age.
It is gratifying to record that there were 74 fewer infantile
deaths than in 1932.
The Infantile Mortality rate, which is based upon the number
of deaths in this age group per 1,000 live brths registered, is therefore
49, as compared with 65 in 1932.
The principal causes of death in order of severity were: —
Premature birth, enteritis, and congenital malformation.
Diarrhoea and enteritis were responsible for 32 deaths, as compared
with 35 in 1932.
The number of deaths during the year of infants under one
month old was 67, representing a neo-natal mortality rate of 20-63
per thousand births.
These deaths are to a large extent due to the state of the
mother's health before the child is born, and a diminution in the
causes responsible for them might be effected by increased maternal
supervision during pregnancy and at the confinement, as well as
by the education of women in the dangers resulting from interference
with intra-natal life in an endeavour to avoid the ties of
motherhood.
The classification of the total deaths appears in the table on
page 12.