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6
The infantile mortalities of the eight wards of the Borough are contained
in Table VII. (Appendix). The mortality was higher in Haggerston, where
it amounted to 173 per 1,000 births, and lowest in Acton, where it was 101.
The next lowest infantile mortality was that of Moorfields ward, where it was
105 per 1,000 births. The latter two wards are the least densely populated
parts of the Borough.
Shoreditch is a district with a high infantile mortality, the mortality
being one of the highest in the Metropolis. In connection with this attention
must again be directed to the Notification of Births Act, 1907 This Act
is an adoptive one, and its object is to afford Local Authorities the means
for obtaining early information of births with a view to advice and instruction
as to the rearing of infants being given, where necessary, to mothers and other
persons responsible for the care of infants. There is no doubt that if the Act
were put into effective operation in the Borough many infants would be
likely to survive who now die.
The question of the adoption of the Act was twice under the consideration
of the Council during the year but on each occasion it was deferred for six
months.
The deaths amongst children aged from one to five years numbered 257
as compared with 423 for 1907, which is a very marked decrease. Of these
39 were attributed to measles, 11 to whooping cough, 20 to scarlet fever, 7
to diphtheria, 44 to various forms of tuberculosis, 20 to diarrhoea, 13 to
bronchitis, 5G to pneumonia, and 7 to enteritis. Accident or negligence resulted
in 14 deaths, seven of which were due to scalds or burns.
Altogether 767, or a little over 38 per cent, of the total number of deaths
during the year were of children under five years of age.
Of children aged between five and fifteen years 77 died. The chief causes
were tuberculosis, which accounted for 24 deaths, other infectious diseases which
caused 15, diseases of the heart and circulatory organs 8, and accident or
negligence which resulted in six deaths.
Of persons aged from fifteen to twenty-five years there died G7, of
whom 29 succummed to tuberculosis; 26 being the victims of consumption.
Accidence or negligence resulted in three deaths, and there was one from
suicidal poisoning.
Of persons aged between twenty-five and thirty-five years there were
114 deaths,, the chief causes being consumption which resulted in 50, diseases
of the heart and circulatory organs which accounted for 9, kidney disease for
8, and pneumonia which was the cause of 7 deaths. Five deaths were due
to violence, two of which were suicidal.