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23
Infantile Mortality.
The number of deaths of infants under one year of age was 128, compared
with 91 in 1930, and 144 in 1929. The rate of infant mortality resulting from
these deaths (deaths under one year per 1,000 births) was 59, compared with 42
in 1930 and 62 in 1929. The rates for the different wards in the Borough are shewn
in Table No. 5. In seven metropolitan boroughs lower rates were recorded as
under:—Chelsea, 42; Lewisham, 50; Deptford, 53; Stoke Newington, 54;
Camberwell, 56; Battersea, 57; and Bermondsey, 57. The rate for the administrative
county was 65, and for England and Wales, 66.

Causes of Death.—The causes of infantile mortality are set forth in Tables
Nos. 20 and 21, which shew the incidence of mortality from each cause for infants,
distinguished by age, sex and wards. It will be noted from these tables that the
chief causes of death were:—Premature Birth, 31; Pneumonia, 29; Congenital
Malformation, 11; Debility, 8; and Injury at Birth, 8. There were five deaths
from Enteritis and Diarrhoea. The neo-natal mortality rate (deaths under 4 weeks)
was 28.77, compared with 20.11 in 1930 and 26-81 in 1929. Of the 46 neo-natal
deaths, 25 were certified as due to premature birth, 4 to injury at birth, 4 to congenital
malformation, and 4 to debility. The deaths from pneumonia accounted for nearly
half the increase in the infantile mortality rate.
Deaths of Illegitimate Children.—Eight illegitimate children died, compared
with 1 in 1930, and 7 in 1929.
Institutional Deaths.—In tabular form is shown below the number of deaths
of Woolwich infants which took nlace in various institutions durinc the vear.

Tables are set out in the following pages which classify in various ways the
causes of infant death in 1931.