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than in 1909, giving an infant mortality rate of 74, an
improvement of 17 when compare 1 with 1909, and of 56
when contrasted with 1906. On referring to the table of
deaths under one year, it will be seen that two deaths were
attributed to diarrhœral diseases, It has been abundantly
shewn that high infant mortality follows periods of high
temperature and low rainfall, accompanied as they are with
dust, plagues of flies, deterioration of food, &c., &c., causing
in a marked degree intestinal disorders, and that, on the
contrary, periods of low temperature and high rainfall are
followed by lower mortality. Apart from the influence of
atmospheric conditions, I think that the very satisfactory
decrease in our infant mortality is partly due to the Notification
of Births Act, the effect of our short card of " Hints
to Mothers," sent immediately upon receipt of a notification
of birth, together with the greater attention paid to the
cleanliness of house, person and food by all those, midwives,
lay helpers and friends, brought in contact with the mother
and child.
The following is a table comparing the number of
houses occupied and unoccupied, the population, births,
birth-rate, deaths, and death-rate since 1885, giving an
idea of the growth and health of the District during that
period:—