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46 INFANTILE MORTALITY.
in each Ward varies considerably, the differences are better illustrated by taking the
combined figures for the Lancaster Gate Wards and obtaining theoretical numbers for
the other Wards, on the assumption that the mortality rates (for each sex and age) were the
same as those for the Lancaster Gate Wards. The results are given in Table 32. In two
instances only are the theoretical totals in excess of the recorded. The total wastage
amounts to 209 lives (114 of boys and 95 of girls).
The deaths of infants under 1 month old are to a large extent not preventable.
Deducting such deaths, the wastage during the past year may be stated as amounting to
197 lives (98 of boys and 99 of girls). Much of this wastage is due to carelessness and
ignorance and ought to be obviated.

Causes of Death.—The Local Government Board has forwarded a new table on this
subject. (Table VI., Appendix.) In Table 33 the numbers for last year are compared with
the decennial averages. The only diseases showing increases above the respective averages
are—
Measles—increase of 8 deaths; whooping cough—increase of 4 deaths; and
dentition—increase of 3 deaths.
There was a notable decrease in the number of deaths from the diarrhœal diseases
(68 in 1905, 116 annual average). In 1904 there were 106 deaths from these causes (59 of
males and 47 of females) as compared with 51 last year. The 68 deaths under this head
comprise 33 of "diarrhœa," 31 of "zymotic enteritis," and 4 of "enteritis." In 1903, the
only year when the mortality rate was below that of last year, 87 deaths were recorded,
viz., " diarrhœea" 41, " zymotic enteritis" 33, and "enteritis" 13.
Attention has already been directed to the great disparity in infantile mortality in some
of the Wards (Table 31) and to the differences in age incidence (Table 32). The subject
will be so far completed by a reference to the causes of death in the two Wards specially
selected for contrast (Table 34).