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25
Lewisham.—In comparison with other districts the low
infant mortality rate of 93 per 1,000 births registered is satisfactory
and compares favourably with 113 per 1,000, the mean
rate in Lewisham for the three preceding years.
These figures show that a reduction in the infant
mortality was general throughout England and Wales during
the year under review. Statistical returns also show that some
individual districts were less fortunate, having no reduction, and
in some cases even an increase in the infant mortality rate,
compared with the previous year. Nevertheless the general
reduction in the wastage of infant life is a most welcome fact.
As to the cause of such reduction we are not at present in
possession of those details necessary to form a definite opinion.
Probably it is largely due to the better education of the public
in matters so essential for the successful rearing of their
children.
In regard to Lewisham, however, we have details for the
past three years of the causes of infant mortality. These are
briefly set out in Table 6 and more fully in Table E of the
Appendix, which is a new table introduced for the first time this
year at the direction of the Local Government Board.
CAUSES OF INFANT DEATHS
During the year 338 deaths occurred among children
under one year, compared with 440 in 1904. Of this number 8
were certified as Measles and 13 Whooping Cough, compared
with 6 and 23 respectively in 1904. Diarrhœal Diseases (i.e.,
all forms of diarrhœa, enteritis not tuberculous, gastritis and
gastro-intestinal catarrh) claimed 59, compared with 122 in