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4 DEATHS.
in 1922 and to 42.5 in 1923. The notifications sent by midwives formed 42.7 per cent, of the total in
1921 and 43.9 in 1922, but fell to 37.7 in 1923. The percentage of notifications received from other
sources was 13.8 last year, as compared with 17.2 in 1921 and 13.0 in 1922. For the years 1914-18
the proportion was as low as 5.2 per cent.
Comparison of the cases notified with the Returns of Registration disclosed the fact that during
the year 97.1 per cent. of the births were registered after notification, only 69 being non-notified births.
As the births registered in the Borough numbered 2,410, the non-notified births represent a degree of
neglect to notify amounting to 2.8 per cent, of those births. There being no system of transfer of
notifications of birth, it is impossible to give the total measure of failure, nothing being known of the
frequency of notification of births (belonging to the Borough) in out-lying districts. The percentages
of non-notified births in the quarters of the year varied from 1.9 in the third quarter to 2.9 in the
fourth. In the Registration Sub-district "North" the percentage of failure to notify was 1.8, in
"Central" 2.8, and "South" 7.4, all showing improvement in the practice of notification.
The failure in notification of illegitimate births was 4.4 per cent., as contrasted with 2.7 per cent,
in the case of legitimate births. Such difference is to be much regretted as illegitimate children are, on
the whole, more in need of welfare care than are legitimate.
Still-births.—Of the 2,449 notifications received 68 (2.7 per cent.) referred to infants born dead, the
number so reported in 1921 having been 80, and that reported in 1922, 59. The following percentages
of still-births have been recorded during the past three years: Legitimate, 1921, 3.0; 1922, 2.32;
1923, 2.8; illegitimate: 1921, 2.9; 1922, 0; 1923, 10. The percentages of still-births notified from
the Wards varied from 7.1 in Lancaster Gate, East, to 1.8 in Lancaster Gate, West. In Church Ward
the percentage was 3.1.
IV. DEATHS: MORTALITY.
(See Tables 2, 6 and 7.)
Registered Locally.—The deaths registered within the Borough during the year numbered 1,743,
186 less than in 1922 and 32 less than the annual average for the five years 1918-22. Last year's total
included 850 in institutions, viz., 523 in the Paddington Hospital, 253 in St. Mary's Hospital, 55 in the
Children's Hospital, Paddington Green, and 19 in the Lock Hospital, or 48.7 per cent, of all the deaths
registered in the Borough—311 of the deaths (36.5 per cent.) falling for transfer to out-lying districts.
The total number of deaths of non-residents was 338 last year, 33 less than the annual average (352) for
1918-22, and the deaths of residents in out-lying districts, 317, 163 less than the average (480).
Corrected Figures.—After making due allowance for transferred deaths, both outward and inward,
a corrected total of 1,722 deaths of persons of all ages is obtained, 166 less than the figure for
1922 and 181 less than the annual average for 1918-22. The corrected mortality rate for the past year
was 11.77 per 1,000 persons, 1.22 less than the rate for 1922, but 0.37 above that for 1920—the lowest
rate (11.40) on record. The mean rate for 1918-22 was 13.77, last year's rate showing a reduction of
approximately 15 per cent. The mean rate for 1911 -13 was 13.21, and that for 1921 -23,12.28, showing
a reduction of 8 per cent.
In the adjacent districts the following are the death-rates for 1923: Kensington, 12.3; Hammersmith
; 11.0 ; Willesden, 9.3 ; Hampstead, 10.3 ; St. Marylebone, 11.7 ; and Westminster 10.6.
Sex Distribution.— The deaths of males numbered 820 and those of females 902, the corresponding
figures for 1922 being 927 and 961, the deaths of males showing a reduction during the year of 12 per
cent, below the figure for 1922, and those of females one of 7 per cent. The annual averages for 1919-21
were : Males 865, females 928, last year's numbers showing falls of 6 and 3 per cent, below the respective
averages.
Ward Distribution.—The numbers of deaths assigned to each Ward are shown in Table 2. In
comparison with the numbers for 1922 and with the averages, smaller numbers were recorded last year
for each Ward except Lancaster Gate, West, in which Ward last year's deaths were the same in number
as in 1922 and 2 above the average. In the other Wards the reductions in comparison with the records
for 1922 vary from 18 per cent. in the case of Church Ward to 3 per cent. in Maida Vale, while those in
comparison with the averages vary from 17 per cent. in Queen's Park to 4 in Maida Vale.
Causes of Death.—The Registrar-General, in tabulating the causes of death during 1921, used the
amended International Schedule of Causes of Death, which will be in use until such time as further
amendments are introduced. It being thought desirable to follow the lead given by the RegistrarGeneral,
the change was made during the past year. The records for 1921 and 1922 will be retabulated
to secure uniformity during the current decennium. The changes introduced are comparatively
small, and are indicated in footnotes to Table 6.