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18
BIRTHS.
The total number of births registered in the Borough during
the year was 1,865. Of this number 752 occurred in St. Alfege's
Hospital, 406 in the Borough Maternity Home, and 181 at various
Nursing Homes within the Borough. Of this total of 1,339
Institution births, 613 only belonged to Greenwich, the remainder
being transferred to the appropriate localities.
One hundred and eighty-nine births belonging to the Borough
took place in Institutions outside the Borough area, thus the actual
figure for Greenwich becomes 1,328 : Males 645; Females 683.
This figure gives a Birth Rate of 13.86 per 1,000 of the population,
and is a fraction higher than the previous year's Birth Rate
of 13.82. The average for the last ten years is 14.85.
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 14.9.
Illegitimate live-births numbered 36, representing 2.7 per cent,
of the total live-births.
Sixty illegitimate births actually registered in the Borough.
In 33 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 nett figure of 36.
Forty-three 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. Forty-six still-births were allocated
to the Borough, representing a percentage of 2.3 of the total births
registered. Each of such cases is separately investigated with a view
to finding out whether the cause is of a preventable nature, and if so,
an endeavour is made to take such appropriate action as will
guard against a recurrence.