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7
The general death rate for 1925 was 10.0, the annual fluctuations
during the past five years, from 1921 onwards, being as
follow:—10.8, 9.0, 8.5, 10.0, 10.0. The average rate for the
period was 9.8.
Important from the Public Health point of view are the
Infantile and Tuberculosis death rates, the former for 1925 being
per thousand births, whilst the latter was 1.09. Some of the
probable reasons for the disproportionately high infantile mortality
of the district are discussed on pages 81.84.
The tuberculosis death rate still remains high, the average
rale for the past five years being 1.1., defective housing, it is
now well known, playing the major part in the incidence of this
disease.
It may be observed, therefore, that though the general death
rate for the district is not unduly high, those rates which depend
more particularly upon hygienic conditions, such as infantile
mortality and deaths from tuberculosis, are considerably above
the average.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector reports that between six and
seven hundred houses in the district are unfit, nearly all of which
are still inhabited. Of the above number of dwellings, 51, comprising
the "Island" Site, have been the subject of a recent
Ivepresentation under the Housing Act. During the Quinquennium
352 houses have been built by private enterprise, while the
Authority has added 456 for letting purposes.
A scheme for the efficient sewerage of the district now
occupies attention, being one of considerable urgency even as
regards the present population of the district.
The question of refuse disposal, considered more particularly
on pages 27-29, still awaits investigation on lines more favoured
by present-day sanitarians.
The question of hospital accommodation for infectious
diseases can hardly be considered satisfactory; fortunately, during