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39
[1912
DEATHS.
Once more the death toll of this great Borough has been most satisfactory
for the number of deaths registered was only 4,682, and the death-rate 14.34
per 1,000 of the estimated population. Only on two occasions during the
seventy-one years for which accurate mortality returns are available, has the
death-rate been so low, namely in 1908, when it was 13.93, and in 1910, when
it was 13.79. The figures for this long period are to be found in Table H.m
the appendix to this report, which should be consulted. Such low rates in a
borough like Islington, practically during the last five years, during which
they never reached 15.0 per 1,000, with its very mixed and teeming population,
are matters for sincere congratulation, and tell more plainly than any words,
however graphic, that its sanitary administration has been good. This, however,
is not to be an excuse for slackness, or for the failure to adopt new
preventive measures, but on the contrary should be a great incentive to
increased efforts, especially in the direction of combating child mortality and
tuberculosis, against which all wise authorities are now waging a great and
ever increasing fight.
The Medical Officer of Health in his annual report for 1911, dwelt at very
great length on the saving of life effected in Islington during recent years
through its good sanitary administration, and he gave several Tables to
illustrate his remarks. These may be consulted with great advantage by
persons who are desirous of understanding this complex subject-for deathrates
are influenced, not only by sanitary administration, but also by the age
and sex distribution of the population, subjects which are unfortunately not
easily comprehended by the ordinary lay mind. He will not now discuss the
matter but will content himself with saying that any changes which have
occurred in these directions in the Borough have had, unfortunately, a detrimental
effect on the death-rate; and that, therefore, it is most satisfactory
that it should not only have remained so low, but that it has actually much
improved of late years. Before quitting this subject he would like to make
one further observation, namely, that the saving in human lives effected in
Islington as compared with 20 years ago has been nearly 2,000 per annum
and as compared with 10 years ago over 700. These are figures of which any
Medical Officer of Health might well be proud, and at which any community
might well rejoice.
Ages at Death. -It was only to be expected that in a population which
of late years has exhibited an increase in the number of persons who are
thirty-five years old and over, there should also be a corresponding increase in
the number of deaths at these later periods of life and a decrease at the
earlier periods (consult Table XVII. page 43).