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58
According to this classification most of these deaths have been
classed to "Developmental and Wasting Diseases," the rate from
these causes being 19.5 per 1,000 compared with the national
figure of 23.25 in 1935. The deficiency in the local rate, therefore,
is mostly to be found amongst other causes. Of the 56 deaths in
this group, 32 were ascribed to prematurity. In a few of these, the
reason for the premature onset of labour was known, such as in
those cases of placenta praevia and eclampsia. In most, however,
there was no apparent reason for the premature confinement. In
12 instances the death of the infant followed on birth injuries due
to difficulty in confinement. In 7 it was due to some congenital
mal-formation of the infant; in 4 to atelectasis, one to inanition,
and in 2 to inattention at birth.

The infectious diseases were 2 of whooping cough, 1 of measles
and 1 of meningococcal meningitis. The group of deficient inherent
vitality includes those suffering from congenital defects, from birth
injuries and from prematurity, marasmus and inanition.
It will be noticed that the commonest cause of death at these
ages was bronchitis or pneumonia. Although the death certificates
contain no reference to the fact, it is probable that many of these
deaths, of which there was a large number in December, were due
to influenza which became prevalent in the district at that time.
Most of the deaths from diarrhoeal diseases occurred during the
first quarter of the year, the summer months being particularly
free.