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The death rate was 10.3 per 1000 as compared with 10.6 In
1943 and 10.2 in 1942. This rate is based on the civilian population.
The percentage of the total deaths occurring in persons aged 65 years
and over was 54.5 as compared with 50.2 in 1943 and 52.0 in 1942. The
percentage age distribution of deaths during 1910-14 and 1940-44 is
shown below : -
1910-14 1940-44
Under 1 year 21.8 7.8
1-4 years 8.4 1.4
5-14 years 3.8 1.8
15 - 24 years 3.7 2.8
25 - 64 years 30.8 35.2
65 years & over 31.5 51.0
There has been a change in the age distribution of the population
during these 30 years and during 1940-44 many men and women of military
age have not been included in the civil population but the figures
indicate the improving survival rates of the younger age groups. There
are indications that the presence in the population of many elderly
persons produces peculiar and special social problems and that "old
age" welfare will have to be undertaken. The chief causes of death
during 1944 were heart disease (230), cancer (152), cerebral haemorrhage
(82), violence including air raids (66) and pneumonia (56).
In 1944 the infant mortality rate was 46.0 as compared with
46.8 in 1943 and 72.1 in 1942. The percentage of the total infant
deaths occurring in children under 4 weeks was 65 as compared with 49
in 1943 and 58 in 1942. Certain comparisons in connection with infant
mortality for two five year periods 1910-14 and 1940-44 are shown
below j -
1910-14 1940-44
Total Infant deaths 559 394
Infant mortality rate 111.8 56.0
Age of greatest risk 3 - 5-mths. Under 1 day
% of deaths at ages under 3 mths. 54,7 76,6
Numerical order of chief
causes of death
enteritis (137). Prematurity (107).
Gastro -
Prematurity (114). enteritis (79).
Bronchitis 3c Bronchitis &
pneumonia (112). pneumonia (62).
Congenital Congenital
debility (79). debility (38).
Whooping Congenital
cough (28). malformation( 17).
Congenital
malforma- Whooping
tion (19). Cough (6).
Measles (17). Tuberculosis (4).
Tuberculosis(13). Measles (2).
It will be seen from the above that (a) the reduction In infant
mortality is due almost wholly to fewer deaths from infections (b) more
than three quarters of the deaths now occur before the age of 3 months
when prematurity and congenital debility are most likely to contribute
to a fatal issue and (c) the greatest risk Is now in the first 24 hours
after birth. While efforts to find the causes and to improve the
treatment of prematurity and congenital debility are needed there must
be no slackening in the work to reduce further the deaths from
infections (improved parental care, better domestic hygiene, less
overcrowding, loss poverty, etc.). In the case of the 20 children
who died from prematurity the place of birth and death was, home 2 (1
outside the Borough), nursing home 1 and hospital 17.
The maternal mortality rate was 1.9 per 1000 (live and still)
births as compared with 0.62 in 1943 and 2.76 in 1942. The stillbirch
rate per 1000 total births was 22 as compared with 26 in 1943
and 3? in 1942. 2