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3
[1937
EXTRACT OF VITAL STATISTICS.
Total. M. F.
Live Births
Legitimate 4,286 2,258 2,028 Birth Rate per 1,000 of the estimated
Illegitimate 218 107 111 resident population, 15.25.
Stillbirths 139 ... ... Rate per 1,000 total (live and still)
births, 29.94.
Deaths 3,813 ... ... Death Rate per 1,000 of the estimated
resident population, 12.90.
Deaths from puerperal causes (Headings 29 and 30 of the Registrar-General's
Short List)—
Deaths. Rate per 1,000 total (live and still)
births.
No. 29. Puerperal sepsis 9 1.94
No. 30. Other puerperal causes 5 1.07
Total 14 3.01
Death rate of infants under one year of age:—
All infants per 1,000 live births 66
Legitimate infants per 1,000 legitimate live births 64
Illegitimate infants per 1,000 illegitimate live births 114
Deaths from Cancer (all ages) 515
,, Measles (all ages) 1
,, Whooping Cough (all ages) 18
,, Diarrhoea (under 2 years of age) 69
POPULATION (ESTIMATED).
The population at mid-year 1937 is estimated at 295,400 persons, a decrease in
the population of 26,395, when compared with the number of inhabitants ascertained
at the census in 1931.
Social Conditions.—The year 1937 from the point of view of betterment in
unemployment seemed to show some decided improvement, inasmuch as when
employment was lost the workpeople seemed to be able in a shorter time than in
former years to be able to get taken on sooner, and on the whole the workers seemed
less depressed than formerly when they happened to lose their work, this changed
attitude, no doubt, being due to the knowledge that work would be obtained again
within a reasonable time. During the year it was noticed that there was much less
hesitancy on the part of those out of work to make an application for milk under the
Council scheme (Maternity and Child Welfare). Previously, even when out of work,
the workers were very reluctant to apply. In the case of a small wage earner and
a large family it was noticed that applications were made in greater numbers
than before. The result of the greater consumption of milk distributed by the
Council has been noted to be excellent where the grant has been made and continued
for several months. If in certain unfortunate families the milk is continued for a very
extended period the results are not so apparent, the improved condition being most
noticeable in the earlier period in which the milk is given. Probably the general
catering of such households is at fault; the other food, milk excepted, may not have
been wisely chosen as regards its nutritive value. The problem of the education of
the people in a simple and effective way as to what is best to buy in the way of food
for the home is one on which health visitors are continually giving advice. It has
been noted that the older people have a much better idea of what to buy than the
younger generation. The men and women on the whole appear to be better nourished
than in former years. The factory workers seem to be brighter than in the past few
years; they do not seem under-nourished, are well groomed, and well dressed. I