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13
Heart disease and diseases of the circulatory system are still
accountable for much serious invalidity and fatal illness. The
total number of deaths from these causes include a large number
of elderly persons who have exhibited heart disease as a terminal
complication; consequently it is necessary to separate the more
acute and chronic types occurring in the young and in adult life,
as it is these with which we are mostly concerned, especially in
their relation to rheumatic affections and infectious diseases such
as Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. Comparison for the three years
would appear to show a definite increase in this number, although
insufficient to attribute to causes other than those mentioned.
On the other hand respiratory affections account for a smaller
number of deaths. Probably the absence of severe Influenza and
the long spell of dry summer weather in 1934, was a beneficial
factor in this respect.
Scarlet Fever assumed almost epidemic proportions, whilst
many severe cases of Diphtheria were admitted to hospital. The
necessity for early diagnosis and prompt treatment is stressed
later in the report.
Much inconvenience and annoyance during the summer was
caused to residents in the South Ward owing to the prevalence
of a species of mosquito. Every effort was made to deal with
this nuisance but the causes were not confined to the Borough,
and the fact that a considerable length of sewer, under the control
of another Authority, had been laid off for partial re-construction,
etc., permitted hordes of these offenders to disturb the peace and
comfort of many people living in close proximity.
Births.
The number of births registered was 1,953 as compared with
1,922 for the year 1933. The birth rate was therefore 14.2 or
0.5 higher than that of the previous year.
Deaths.
The number of deaths was 1,566 as compared with 1,503 for
the year 1933. The death rate was 11.4, or 0.7 greater than that
of the previous year. Of the total deaths 742 or 47.3 per cent.
died in institutions.