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46 MORTALITY IN CHILDHOOD.
Hopeless Births.—This term has been introduced to designate births which are registered at
the same time as, or subsequently to, the deaths of the children. Last year 70 such instances were
noted in the local returns, as compared with 80 in 1913 and 88 in 1912. Last year's total
included two deaths (one of each sex) of non-resident children. An analysis of the causes of
death in the instances recorded last year will be found in Table 31, together with the totals for
1913.
Seven of the deaths occurred in institutions, viz., 2 each at the Infirmary and Lock
Hospital, and 1 each at the Workhouse, St. Mary's Hospital, and the Children's Hospital.
Out of the 70 children, 8 were illegitimate, and 10 were the products of twin births, including
5 complete twins. Inquests were held with reference to 10 of the deaths.
The 7 deaths from "Congenital Defects" comprised 3 from congenital malformation of the
heart, and 1 each of the spine, brain, digestive and urinary organs. The deaths during the
first twenty-four hours of life were distributed as here set out.

Premature Birth.—The deaths attributed to this cause numbered 44 (25 of males and 19 of
females), as compared with 62 in 1913 and an average (1909-13) of 56 (32 males and 24
females). Included in the total for last year were the deaths of three pairs of twins. The proportion
of deaths of illegitimate children was 22 per cent., as compared with 13 per cent. in 1913.
Fifteen of the deaths took place in institutions, including 8 in the Paddington Infirmary and
Workhouse and 7 in lying-in hospitals. In eighteen instances the duration of pregnancy was
stated, being 6-7 months in 7, 7-8 months in 7, and 8-9 months in 4.
Diarrhœa.—The deaths from the "Diarrhœal Diseases" at all ages numbered 83 last year,
as compared with 82 in 1913 and 54 in 1912, the mortality being at the rate of 0.58 per 1,000
persons in 1914, 0.56 in 1913, and 0.38 in 1912. The average for the five years 1909-13 was
0.52 per 1,000. The mortality rates in the Wards (see below) ranged from zero in Lancaster
Gate, East, to 1.46 in Church.

Last year's deaths comprised 78 at ages under two years (38 of males and 40 of females)
and 5 at higher ages, viz., 2 (one of each sex) at ages 2-5 years, 1 (male) between 5 and 15
years, 1 (male) between 45 and 65 years, and 1 (female) over 65 years. In the following paragraphs
the deaths at ages under two years only will be discussed.
In accordance with the practice adopted by the Registrar-General the rates of mortality for
deaths at ages under two years have been calculated by the use of the corrected number of
births. The 78 deaths recorded in the Borough last year were equivalent to a mortality of 2659
per 1,000 births, the corresponding rate for 1913 having been 24.18. On page 48 will be found the
rates obtained from the numbers of deaths given in the Quarterly Reports of the Registrar-General.