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Death rate of infants under one year of age:—
All infants per 1,000 live births 50
Legitimate infants per 1,000 legitimate live births 51
Illegitimate infants per 1,000 illegitimate live births 20
Deaths from Measles (all ages) 17
Deaths from Whooping Cough (all ages) 10
Deaths from Diarrhoea (under 2 years of age) 19
Particulars of any unusual or Excessive Mortality during
the Year which has received or required comment.
It will be seen that the deaths from Measles and Whooping
Cough exceeded those of recent years owing to the prevalence of
these diseases in the Greater London area. Infantile Enteritis
was responsible for a larger number of deaths, without any
apparent cause.
Still-Births.
An investigation extending over a period of 13 months, from
February, 1935, to March, ,1936, was carried out with the object
of ascertaining as far as possible the causes of still births.
The total number of still births for the above period was 82,
and replies were obtained in 77 instances. Details of the complete
investigation arc herewith appended.
Upon receipt of a notification of still birth an enquiry form
was forwarded to the medical practitioner or midwife in attendance.
Owing to the nature of the enquiry and the indeterminate
character of the information obtained, it will be appreciated that
considerable difficulty was experienced in interpreting the
results. I am grateful, however, to the medical practitioners,
hospital staffs and midwives for their assistance in kindly furnishing
me with available details.
It will be understood that many of the cases in hospitals have
been admitted owing to a history of previous difficult delivery or
on account of urgent complications of pregnancy or labour.