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15
BIRTHS.
The total number of births registered in the Borough during
the year was 1,928. Of this number 783 occurred in St. Alfege's
Hospital, 410 in the Borough Maternity Home, and 183 at various
Nursing Homes within the Borough. Of this total of 1,376 Institution
births, 609 only belonged to Greenwich, the remainder being
transferred to the appropriate localities.
One hundred and fifty-six births belonging to the Borough
took place in Institutions outside the Borough area, thus the actual
figure for Greenwich becomes 1,323:—Males, 672; Females, 651.
This figure gives a Birth Rate of 13.82 per 1,000 of the population,
and is a fraction lower than the previous year's Birth Rate
of 13.87. The Average for the last ten years is 14.86.
The Birth Rate for the County of London equals 13.6 per 1,000
of the population. The Birth Rate for all England and Wales
was 14.8.
Illegitimate live-births numbered 42, representing 3.1 per cent.
of the total live-births.
Sixty-nine illegitimate births actually were registered in the
Borough. In 36 cases, however, the mothers were ordinarily
resident outside the Borough and these births were consequently
allocated to the correct area. Nine illegitimate births belonging
to Greenwich occurred outside the Borough, thus giving the net
figure of 42.
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 stillbirths
became compulsory. Thirty-nine still-births wore allocated
to the Borough, representing a percentage of 2.8 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.
Under the provisions of the Notification of Births Act, 1907,
intimations have been received from medical men, parents, and
others, with respect to 2,037 births; 64 were in respect of stillbirths,
of which number 29 were referred to other Boroughs.