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42
Tinned Foods.—The contents of 4 tins were examined, viz: —
1 Tinned Peaches. 1 Tinned Peas. 2 Tinned Pears.
Small amounts of metallic contamination were found in each instance. Although
the amount of metal present was individually small in amount and in each instance
no doubt to that extent innocuous, yet, it may be well to draw attention to the fact
that many metals tend to accumulate in the system. Therefore in the case of
families living largely on tinned foods, the individuals concerned may store up
gradually in their system metallic compounds in amounts which may tend eventually
to affect the health of the young or those naturally delicate.
Whisky.—25 samples were examined and 15 were found to be adulterated.
This represents 60 per cent. of the samples taken.
STATISTICAL.
BIRTHS.
Registration.—The number of births registered during 1923 was 1,668*, being
11 less than in 1922. Of the children born, 865 were boys and 803 girls. The
birth rate per 1,000 of the population was 15.8 as against 15.9 in 1922.
The rates in the several registration sub-districts and the Borough were:—
All Souls, 12.8; St. Mary, 12.7; Christ Church, 19.6; St. John, 17.8.
Notifications.—The total number of notifications received during the year under
the Notification of Births Act, 1907, was 3,829: Live births, 3,647; Still births, 182.
Failures to notify within 36 hours of birth, as required, were comparatively few. In
such cases as there was failure, a perfectly reasonable explanation was forthcoming,
and it was not considered necessary to take proceedings against any of the parties.
The main sources of the notifications are set out below. The figures, it may be
noted, refer to notifications and not to births. In some cases duplicate notifications,
from different sources, were received with regard to the same birth.
From parents 59 1.5
,, doctors 314 8.2
,, midwives 720 18.8
„ other persons 125 3.3
„ hospitals, etc. 2,611 68.2
3,829
No.
Per cent.
Of the total births notified, 182 referred to still-births (102 males and 80 females) :
1,896 took place at Queen Charlotte's Hospital; 524 at Middlesex Hospital; 105 at
St. Marylebone Home; and 1,218 were born at home. Of those notified as having
occurred in St. Marylebone, 1,991 belonged to other Boroughs.
*This figure is exclusive of births occurring in the Borough to persons usually non-resident
the rein, but includes 193 births which occurred outside the district, and which have been transferred
as belonging to St. Marvlebone:—
Legitimate Males 71
„ Females 82
Illegitimate Males 27
„ Females 13