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1928
21
44 children were born out of wedlock, which number
corresponds to an illegitimate birth-rate of 4.3% of the total
births.
On the whole it may be stated that the Notification of
Births Acts work satisfactory. Only 12 births were registered
in the district which had not been previously notified.
DEATHS.
479 deaths were registered in the district; of these 29
were of non-residents. 244 deaths of residents occurred outside
the district.
The total number of deaths belonging to the district is
694, which corresponds to a death-rate of 10.7 per 1000
inhabitants.
The death-rate was lower than that of 1927, and also lower
than the death-rate of England and Wales and of the 107 large
towns.
Ward Distribution.
North—East. North-west. South—East. South—West.
195 159 143 197
Death-rate of each Ward.
10.3 11.7 9.5 11.2
Among the causes of death which show an increase, one
of the most prominent is Cancer. Last year Cancer was given
as the cause of death in 104 instances—41 males and 63 females.
It is now generally assumed that Cancer is becoming more frequent,
but certain important relevant factors must be taken into
consideration, otherwise false ideas of the extent of the increase
of the disease may lead to unnecessary alarm and anxiety.
In last year's annual report it was shown that the average
age at death is now much higher than it was twenty years ago.
As a result of this we have a much larger proportion of elderly
people in the population. Most of the Cancer deaths occur at
or after middle life, so that one result of the resultant longevity
would be a larger proportion of people who would be particularly
liable to be attacked by Cancer.
Besides, modern methods of diagnosis probably result in
Cancer being inserted as the cause of death in an increasing
number of cases. It is difficult therefore to estimate accurately
the increase, if any, that now is taking place in Cancer. It is
reassuring to find the London County Medical Officer of Health
calling attention to the fact that there had been an actual decrease
in Cancer mortality in London during the past 10 years among
women, and such decrease is worthy of the consideration that
has been given to it, as London is in advance of the rest of the
country in respect of facilities for diagnosis. As these facilities