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27
Tuberculosis and the Infectious Fevers.
These are dealt with in the section dealing with the notifiable
infectious diseases.
Inquests.
There were 144 inquests held on Woolwich residents
during the year compared with 102 in 1921, 145 in 1920, 135
in 1919, 112 in 1918, and 131 in 1917.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The deaths under one year were 184, as compared with
197 in 1921; 224 in 1920; and 235 in 1919. The infantile
mortality rate (deaths under one year per 1,000 births) was
62.
The number of infant deaths, 184, is the lowest ever recorded.
The infantile mortality rate, 62, compares with 62
in 1921 and 61 in 1920. These three years show the lowest
infantile mortality rates of Woolwich. It was 128 in 1901
and has fallen in an uneven way since then. At no period
has it been so stable as during the preceding three years.
There is little doubt that the intensive work which as been
done in recent years in connection with maternity and child
welfare in educating young mothers in the hygiene of pregnancy
and infancy is bringing about the results which are
so eminently desirable.
The following table, No. 16, gives the infantile mortality
rate in each registration district and it will be noted that
the rate for Eltham is 45. This is the lowest rate which has
ever been recorded in any year in any registration district in
the Borough.