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9
COMMENTS ON VITAL STATISTICS
Births.
Following the post-war increase in the birth-rate, which reached its peak of
23.55 per thousand population in 1947, there was a drop in each succeeding year
until 1951, when the rate was 16.45. Since then the rate has remained fairly steady,
with a figure this year of 17.2, as against the 1954 rate of 17.6.
The proportion of births classified as illegitimate remains at approximately the
same level, at 8.6 per cent of all the 1955 births.
Principal Causes of Death.
The death-rate was 11.32 per thousand population, as compared with 10.52 for
the pervious year, which was the lowest rate ever recorded. Principal causes of
death are discussed below.
Infants under One Tear. The 1954 infant mortality rate of 17 per thousand live
births was not maintained for 1955, and the mortality rate of 26 was in the same range
as in the five years prior to 1954. From the Summary of Infant Mortality, 1955, on
page 8, it will be seen that the principal increase in infant deaths was in the
group associated with premature birth. 29 premature infants did not survive the
first twenty-four hours, and prematurity was also ascribed as the primary cause of
deaths in another 11 infants under four weeks old, as against six infants in each of
these groups in the previous year. Without more detailed information it is not
possible to comment further on the increased figures for infant deaths from this
cause. There was also an increase in infant deaths due to pneumonia and bronchitis,
there being 22, as against eight only in 1954.
Deaths from Other Causes.
Respiratory Tuberculosis. The record low figure of 37 in the previous two years
was, unfortunately, not maintained in 1955 when there were 45 deaths from this
cause. The increase was due entirely to more deaths in males of all age groups
from 25 to 75 years.

From the above table it will be seen that although the numbers have not
increased over the past few years, it cannot be said on the other hand that there is
any marked tendency to a lessening of those who contract and die of malignant
diseases of the respiratory system. The increase in deaths due to this cause over the
past few years is, of course, part of the national increase and, as mentioned in my
previous reports, the principal cause is ascribed to heavy cigarette smoking, practised
over many years. Evidence contrary to this view has still to be demonstrated and it