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35
In view of the phenomenally low infantile mortality figure,
I have investigated the records of the Borough since 1904
and present herewith in tabular form, a Table, No. 22, shewing
the rates during the four quinquennial periods, 1904-1908,
1909-13, 1914-18, and 1919-23. In this Table, rates per
1,000 births have been calculated for groups of diseases.
These groups are as follows :—
(a) Infectious Diseases:—
Smallpox, Chicken-pox, Measles, Scarlet Fever,
Whooping Cough, Diphtheria and Erysipelas.
(b) Tuberculous diseases.
(c) Diseases of the nervous system:—
Convulsions, Meningitis.
(d) Diseases of the respiratory system:—
Laryngitis, Bronchitis, Pneumonia.
(e) Diseases of the digestive system:—
Diarrhoea, Enteritis and Gastritis.
(f) Syphilis.
(g) Diseases of development.
(h) All other diseases.
For comparative purposes the figures for 1923 are shewn
separately.
The great improvement in the infantile mortality rate of
1923 compared with that of the quinquennium 1904-1908
is largely due to the diminution in the incidence of digestive
diseases, respiratory diseases and debility and marasmus.
It will be noted from Table 22 that the improvement
which has taken place is not so marked in the first month
of life as in the remaining eleven months.
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