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125,800, and for the purpose of calculating the death-rate this number is
taken. Both gross and net totals show a decrease on the corresponding
figures for 1928, which were 132,700 and 129,700 respectively.
The number of deaths returned for the first quarter of the year was
the highest since the City was formed. The number 799 gave a death
rate of 6.3 per 1,000 and was accounted for mainly by the incidence
of respiratory disease which has been mentioned in connection with the
remarks on weather conditions. Of persons between the ages of 45
and G5, no fewer than 80 died from influenza, an increase over the same
period of the previous year of 75. In the middle periods of life similar
effects from the prolonged spell of intensely cold weather were not
realised so severely, as the deaths from respiratory diseases between
the ages of 25 and 45 were 34, compared with 22 of the year
before. Among infants, however, the withering effects of the cold
were striking. In 1928 the number of infants dying in the first
quarter was 21, while in 1929 the corresponding figure was 40. For this
period the number dying from respiratory diseases was 14; in 1928 the
number was 5.
Influenza claimed a considerably larger number of victims as compared
with the previous year. So far as cases go it is only influenzal
pneumonia which is notifiable and 51 such cases were notified ; in 1928
they numbered 26. Deaths certified as due to influenza or its complications
numbered 99, being 81 in excess of that in 1928. Nothing of
the nature of an epidemic of infectious disease occurred. While cases of
whooping cough, chicken pox and German measles had increased,
diphtheria, measles and scarlet fever had decreased. There is no special
industry in Westminster which engages a large proportion of the
population, and it is therefore impossible to correlate any one occupation
with conditions likely to be prejudicial to health.
By far the greater proportion of those who work in Westminster live
in other districts. Although the area of Westminster is very much
greater than the City of London changes are taking place similar to
those which have made the City of London almost deserted by night
while thronged by day. The resident population of Westminster has
fallen according to the Census, from 201,969 in 1891 to 141,578 in 1921,
while the day population has been steadily increasing and may now
be estimated to be about 450,000. The number of new buildings (and
by far the greater proportion are devoted to non-residential purposes
with the exception of new hotels), is rapidly increasing. Some indication
of this increase is shown in the number of plans submitted in connection
with building operations and reported upon by the officers of the Public