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4,".
infantile mortality.
Alcoholism,—Under this head fall deaths from "acute alcoholism" (delirium tremens),
"chronic alcoholism," and "cirrhosis of the liver." The deaths scheduled under these causes
during the past year numbered 2 (4), 14 (21), 22 (10), or 38 in all, or G less than in 1903 (44),
10 less than in 1902 (48), but one more than in 1901 (37). Although the figures quoted show
a decline, vet they were in excess of the decennial annual average (36). The proportion of
males to females dying from this cause last year was 17 (23) to 21 (21). In 1901 the deaths
of males numbered 17 and those of females 20, the corresponding numbers for 1902 being 22
and 24. Reference has been made in previous Reports to the increasing mortality under this
head, the apparent increase in mortality among females being particularly regrettable. It is
satisfactory to note some indication of a check in the increase.
The mortality last year was 0.26 (0.29) per 1,000 persons, 0.01 above the mean rate.
The full comparison is given below:—

INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The deaths at ages under one year registered within the Borough during the past year
numbered 490, and were 65 in excess of the number registered in 1903, and 16 in excess
of that of 1902. (See Table I., Appendix.) The gross mortality was 148 per 1,000 births
registered, 4 less than the mean rate for the ten years 1894.1903, but 20 in excess of the
rate for 1903. The nett total of deaths at these ages was 449, 57 less than the decennial
average (506), but 61 in excess of the number for 1903. (Sec Table II., Appendix.) The
mortalitv calculated on the births registered within the Borough was 136 per 1,000, 9 less
than the mean rate. Lower rates prevailed in 1903 (108), 1902 (131), 1894 (133), and
1901 (135). From the appended statement it will be seen that the rate for last year
for St. Mary was below the mean, that for St. John below the quinquennial mean for
1894.98 (124) but in excess of that for 1899.03 (103). Last year's rate in North.West
Paddington (180) was above all the means. Only once since 1892 has that rate been
exceeded, viz., in 1898, when the rate was 190. In 1903 the rate was only 98.