View report page

36
It will be noted that in the last twenty years the re has been
a drop of more than 50 per cent. in the infantile mortality
rate, and that the decrease is particularly well marked in the
case of developmental diseases, respiratory diseases, and
diseases of the respiratory system. It will also be seen that
there is a fall of just under 33 per cent. in the case of neonatal
deaths, that is to say, in the first four weeks of life,
and nearly 50 per cent. in the remainder of the year. These
quinquennial tables probably best represent the general
movement which is in progress.
Causes of Death. The chief causes of death were as follows:
Premature birth and debility, 58; Pneumonia, 18; Bronchitis,
10; Diarrhoea, 5; Tuberculosis, 9. Three deaths occurred from
Measles, 7 from Whooping Cough and one from Diphtheria.
In 1924, the corresponding figures were as follows:-Premature
Birth and Debility, 59; Pneumonia, 25; Bronchitis,
15; Diarrhœa, 10; Tuberculosis, 6; Measles, 6; Whooping
Cough, 7; Diphtheria, 0. Compared with 1924 the decrease
in the rate is mainly among children over four weeks old and
is most marked in the respiratory and miscellaneous groups.
Of the neo.natal deaths the chief causes were Premature
Birth, 25; Congenital Malformations, 9; Injury at Birth, 8,
and Debility, 7.
Deaths of Illegitimate Children. The number of deaths of
illegitimate infants was 9. A comparison of the infantile
mortality rates of legitimate and illegitimate infants shows
that the rate for legitimate was 53 and for illegitimate, 118.