View report page

13
BIRTHS.
The total number of births registered in the Borough during
the year was 1,828. Of this number 657 occurred in St. Alfege's
Hospital, 378 in the Borough Maternity Home, and 181 at various
Nursing Homes within the Borough. Of this total of 1,216 Institution
births, 571 only belonged to Greenwich, the remainder being
transferred to the appropriate localities.
One hundred and fifty-four births belonging to the Borough
took place in Institutions outside the Borough area, thus the actual
figure for Greenwich becomes 1,337:—Males, 676; Females, 661.
This figure gives a Birth Rate of 13.87 per 1,000 of the population,
and is a fraction higher than the previous year's Birth Rate
of 13.71. The average for the last ten years is 15.76.
The Birth Rate for the County of London equals 13.3 per
1,000 of the population. The Birth Rate for all England and Wales
was 14.7.
Illegitimate live-births numbered 45, representing 3.3 per cent.
of the total live-births.
Sixty-four illegitimate births actually were registered in the
Borough. In 27 cases, however, the mothers were ordinarily
resident outside the Borough and these births were consequently
allocated to the correct area. Eight illegitimate births belonging
to Greenwich occurred outside the Borough, thus giving the net
figure of 45.
Thirty-nine illegitimate births occurred in St. Alfege's Hospital.
Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1926, which
came into operation on the 1st July, 1927, the registration of
still-births became compulsory. Thirty-nine such still-births were
allocated to the Borough, representing a percentage of 4.2 of the
total births registered. Each of such cases is separately investigated
with a view to finding out whether what is thought to have been the
cause for such still-birth is of a preventable nature, and if so, an
endeavour is made to take such appropriate action as will guard
against a recurrence of this condition.
Under the provisions of the Notification of Births Act, 1907,
intimations have been received from medical men, parents and
others, with respect to 1,899 births; 66 were in respect of still-births,
of which number 22 were referred to other Boroughs,