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Bill relating to the Registration of Births, wherein it is provided
that notification of births shall be sent to the Medical
Officer of Health of the district within 48 hours, and to the
Infant Life Protection Bill providing for the registration of
homes where one or more nursed children are received for gain.
In this latter Bill it is to be regretted that no provision is made
to make the registration authorities in London the Borough
Councils.
Zymotic Diseases.—The zymotic death rate of 1.31 per
1,000 inhabitants shows a marked increase over that of 0.83 for
1905. This was largely due to the increased mortality from infantile
diarrhoea.
Notifications.—There was also an increase in the number
of notifications of infectious diseases.
This was particularly noticeable in regard to Diphtheria.
Not only were a larger number of cases notified, but the
disease assumed a more severe and fatal type.
With regard to Scarlet Fever, although the actual notifications
were practically the same, the case mortality was much
greater.
On the other hand Measles, so prevalent in 1905, was
much less in evidence.
Phthisis.—The death rate from Phthisis amounted to 0.80
per 1,000 persons, the lowest but one in the County of London.
A system of voluntary notification of Pulmonary Phthisis
(consumption) was initiated in June. Only 76 notifications were
received. When we consider the cases of consumption existing
in the Borough amounted to several hundreds, the small proportion
of cases notified is a disappointment and shows voluntary
notification practically a failure. The advisability of making