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45
It has been explained that the "outside" deaths were not
included prior to 1905, but, excluding outside deaths, on two
occasions only before 1903 did the infantile mortality fall below
150 per 1,000 births. In 1891 it was 146, and in 1887 it was 147
per 1,000 births. (Last year the deaths of infants registered in
the district corresponded to an infantile mortality of 120 per 1,000
births registered in the district.)
For the years 1897, 1898 and 1899 the figures were 198, 182.
and 187 per 1,000 births respectively.
Dry, hot, dusty summers and increased atmospheric and
earth temperatures will always cause an increase in the deathsfrom
infantile diarrhoea, and the summer of 1911 proved an
exceptionally unfavourable one as regards the number of deaths
from Diarrhoeal diseases. But the experiences of a few years ago„
when in dry, hot years about 200 or more children died during
the first year of life for every 1,000 children born, will probably
not be repeated. The educational measures, together with the
improved steps in sanitary administration which have been
adopted and carried out, are producing beneficial effects which
will overcome the ill effects of adverse climatic conditions.
There is no doubt that educational methods in preventing
infantile mortality, such as are associated with the work of health
visitors, midlives, &c., are of very great value, and should be
continued and encouraged in every possible way. But unlessthese
inquiries are assisted vigorously by efficient sanitary
measures, these educational measures will probably be of small
avail.
Last year at all ages 98 deaths occurred from Diarrhoea and
Enteritis, as compared with 29 from Diarrhoea, Enteritis and
Gastritis in 1910. It is rather difficult to institute a comparison
between this year's figures and those of earlier years, as considerable
alterations have been made in the Tables issued by
the Local Government Board. Up to the end of 1910 the