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the real cause will eventually be discovered and a remedy for
the disease found.
Heart Disease.—The next heaviest toll occurred to persons
suffering from organic heart disease. 208 were recorded under
this heading, the majority, as one would expect, occurring in
later life
Congenital Debility and Premature Birth was the cause
of 76 deaths, compared with 75 in 1924. These deaths should
to some extent be preventable, and it is hoped that the education
and care afforded by our Ante-natal Clinics will further reduce
this wastage of life.
Of the deaths from Zymotic Diseases, Measles and Scarlet
Fever show a decrease over 1924, while Whooping Cough,
Diphtheria and Enteritis show an increase. The Zymotic deathrate
for the year equalled 0.37 per 1000, compared with 0.24
in 1924.
Infant Mortality.—The death-rate of infants under one
was 55 per thousand births, which compares favourably with the
average for the past five years. Only two other London
Boroughs show a slightly lower rate.
Infectious Disease. Small-Pox.—This disease was unusually
prevalent in the Midland and Northern Counties and,
according to the Registrar-General's Returns, over five thousand
cases were notified during the year.
No cases occurred in this Borough. Persons who were
known to have been in contact with a case of small-pox were
kept under observation for 12 days, the period of incubation.
My opinion was sought on several cases of skin eruption,
suspected to be small-pox, but in no case was it difficult to
remove the suspicion.
One is forced to realise the danger of the outbreaks which
occurred in some parts of the country, and the apparent neglect
of vaccination. It is to be hoped that the public will soon