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should soon be evident. The hearty and intelligent cooperation
of the community at large, and especially of all
sufferers from Tuberculosis, is, however, essential, in
order to produce the best results in the way of diminishing
the incidence of the disease.
F.—Means for Preventing Mortality in Childbirth
and Infancy.
The Midwives Act, 1902, is administered by the Kent
County Council. There are 5 midwifes practising in the
District, and they attend about one-half the number of
confinements that occur.
During the latter part of the year 1913 the Council
had under consideration the question of adopting the Notification
of Births Act, 1907, and it was decided to adopt
it, and to appoint a Health Visitor to carry out the work
(and also to act as School Nurse). This has been done.
The necessary formalities for its adoption were in
progress at the close of the year 1913, and the formal resolution
of the Council was passed at a meeting held in
January, 1914, the Act to come into force on April 1st,
1914.
G—Vital Statistics.
Births.
During the year 1915 there were 724 births registered
in the District, and notification was received that 14
births, occurring elsewhere, were transferable here, making
a total of 738.
This gives a nett birth rate of 20.9 per 1,000 of the
population, as compared with 27.28 during 1914.
Of these births 716 were legitimate, while 22 were
illegitimate.
The birth rate for 1915 is a considerable decrease on
1914.
The natural increase of population, i.e., the excess of
births over deaths, was 433.