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INFANTILE MORTALITY.
In 1944, there were 34 deaths of Infants (6 illegitimate)
under one year of age, as compared with 57 in 1943 and 48 in 1942.
The infantile mortality rate was 32.79 per 1,000 live births
(England and Wales, 46). Only on one occasion (1941) has the
rate been lower. It was very disappointing to have to report
high rates in 1942 and 1943, after the record low rate in 1941
but it is equally pleasant to be able to report such a favourable
rate in 1944 after 5 years of war. In my reports for 1942 and
1943, I expressed my conviction that the high rates for these
years were not due to any falling off in the health or nutrition
of the expectant mother or to any hardships caused by the war.
The very low rate for 1944, when conditions had in no way
improved, would appear to substantiate that conviction.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
There were four maternal deaths in 1944, giving a maternal
mortality rate of 3.74 per 1,000 births. One death resulted
from a self procured abortion and 3 from toxaemia of pregnancy.