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54
mortality in childhood.
year in each of the areas was in excess of that recorded in 1910, the rate for "North Wharf"
(213) being the highest of the series. In one only of the six areas was last year's rate below the
the average for 1906-10 (Table 33), viz., in "Clarendon Street" (rate, 1911, 168; average, 169).
As that area is the poorest and most densely inhabited part of the Borough the difference, small
though it is, is satisfactory, and the more so having regard to the great amount of time and
attention devoted to improving the general conditions of the inhabitants. The area in past
years has been remarkable for having the highest infantile mortality of any part of the Borough.
The extent to which the mortality rates prevalent in these areas influence the rates of the
Wards in which they are situated is shown by the figures given below. The "Queen's Park"
mortality lowered last year's rate for Queen's Park Ward to the extent of some 70 per 1,000
births, while the rates for the other areas increased the Ward rates, the difference amounting to
19 per 1,000 in Maida Vale.
I.—Queen's Park. III.—Maida Vale. IV.—Westbourne. V.—Church.
1911. 1906-10. 1911. 1906-10. 1911. 1906-10. 1911. 1906-10.
Whole Ward 125 90 109 98 155 108 155 134
Insulae 92 85 181 124 171 119 161 152
Rest of Ward 195 102 90 93 148 103 140 101
Table 34 has been constructed to compare the total mortality recorded last year in the six
areas with that for the " Rest of the Borough." Some rather remarkable differences are disclosed.
The mortality from diarrhceal diseases in the areas (over 52 per 1,000 births) was just on 46 per
cent. higher than that recorded in the " Rest of the Borough " (close on 36 per 1,000 births), while
that from measles and whooping cough (17.75) was over 58 per cent. higher. On the other
hand, most of the mortalities from the developmental diseases (premature birth .... debility
at birth) were lower in the areas than in the other parts of the Borough; and of the other diseases,
syphilis is the only one with a rate in the areas much in excess of that recorded in the remainder
of the Borough. The age-group mortalities also show some striking differences, only two of
those recorded in the areas (viz., 3—6 and 9—12 months) being higher than those of the " Rest of
the Borough." The figures confirm the view enunciated in a previous report, that the high
mortality at ages under one observed in the areas is due to maternal ignorance and close
aggregation of living, and not to feebleness of the children at birth.
The records of infantile mortality in the areas have been examined to find out if last year's
high mortality was due to anything more than climatic conditions or other exceptional factor.
Below will be found a comparison of the mortalities from the more important diseases of infancy
recorded last year, in 1910 and during 1906-10 (averages).
Special Areas : Infantile Mortality Rates.
1911. 1910. 1906-10. 1911. 1910. 1906-10.
Measles 9.9 1.9 3.2 Tuberculous Diseases 3.9 3.9 5.8
Whooping Cough 7.9 9.7 5.4 Syphilis 2.9 3.9 4.1
Diarrhceal Diseases 52.3 18.4 27.4 Convulsions 2.9 — 3.2
Premature Birth 10.8 20.3 16.7 Respiratory Diseases 11.8 26.1 24.3
Congenital Malformations 4.9 13.5 6.0 Overlaid 2.0 1.9 3.8
Atrophy and Debility 14.8 7.1 14.3 All Diseases 146.9 115.1 127.7
1911 1910. 1906-10.
Under 1 month 29.6 40.6 35.5
1—3 months 25.6 26.1 30.1
Under 3 months 55.2 66.7 65.6
3— „ 37.5 17.4 25.4
6- „ 19.7 17.4 20.9
9—12 „ 34.5 13.5 15.8
The rates from the two " Common Infectious Diseases," measles and whooping cough, and
those due to the " Diarrhœal Diseases " and " Atrophy and Debility" are in excess of the rates
given for comparison, all the other rates recorded last year being below both the rates for 1910