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4
the persons at risk lived. In the case of infant and maternal death
rates this would be areas in which the births occurred. Under the
prevailing war conditions non-civilian (non-civilian being defined
as all males serving in H.M. Armed Forces, but not including
women in auxiliary corps, nor any members of A.R.P. auxiliary
fire brigade or other similar auxiliary or civil defence service) deaths
will not be assigned to local administrative areas. Transferable
deaths up to the 30th September were dealt with in accordance
with pre-war practice; but those occurring as from the 1st October,
in the case of a person temporarily residing away from home on
account of the war the death was assigned to the area of temporary
residence, a similar arrangement being made where such a person
dies in an institution. Similarly, in regard to transferable births,
up to the 30th September the previous practice of transference to
areas of the mothers' usual residence was maintained. As from
October 1st, the primary assignment for the purpose of calculating
birth rates was in accordance with pre-war practice; but for the
purpose of calculating infant and maternal mortality a secondary
arrangement was made corresponding to that adopted for deaths,
namely, to the area in which a mother may be temporarily residing
as a result of war. The number of live births for purposes of
calculation of birth rates was 3,321 (1,710 and 1,611), and for calculation
of death rates 3,320 (1,711 and 1,609). The figure of the
estimated population for calculation of birth rates is 190,200 and
for the calculation of death rates, or of the incidence of notifiable
disease, 189,300. Being a neutral area, with consequent relatively
slight changes in population—at least during 1939—the differences
are not marked. In common with other areas the death rates will
not have been affected to any great extent by the calling up of
men to the Services.
The vital statistics show that the year was a very healthy one
for the district, the only factor accounting for any excessive
morbidity or mortality being the exceedingly cold spell in the
early weeks of the year, which was reflected in a high mortality
from respiratory complaints. Both the infant mortality and
maternal mortality rates were low, the latter being the lowest
recorded in this district since amalgamation. Though the death
rate per thousand population for diphtheria is low, having regard
to the low incidence of the disease the position is not satisfactory,
as the case mortality is very high. This is doubtless in some
measure associated with the low incidence, as, while during epidemic
times the public is aware of the prevalence of the infection, so that
any throat condition is soon followed by inspection by a medical
man, the contrary position obtains in the absence of widespread
infection, as parents are then the less likely to summon a doctor
when diphtheria is not in their minds. The high case mortality
is undoubtedly related to the late stage at which the patients
obtain specific treatment. There was not this year a repetition of