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13
The data, however, for the calculation of the rate of infantile
mortality are precise. The total rate for the district 147 per 1,000
children born and registered. This is an appallingly high rate of
infant mortality, higher indeed than that which prevails in
In considering these figures, it is to be remembered that there
is no source of error from over estimation of population and so forth,
they are based on the nctual number of births and deaths registered
during the year. It is a very pertinent question how it happens that
the infantile mortality still maintains this excessively high rate in our
district, whilst the general death rate, and death-rate from preventible
diseases has markedly declined pari passu with the better Sanitary
conditions, which have prevailed during recent years, and what
concerns the Council more particularly is, how far Municipal
Sanitation may be responsible.
I have considered this question somewhat fully in previous
reports, and it is not necessary to recapitulate at any length the
arguments use i to show that the general Sanitary conditions of
the district are in no way responsible.
I venture to think that the principal cause lies in the domestic
and personal circumstances of particular families, for, so far as
Municipal Sanitation is concerned, there is no difference between the
families that rear all, or nearly all their children, and others in which
the mortality is excessive. In this connection the registered causes
of death furnish some evidence. The total number of deaths was 85,
20 of these were the result of premature birth and congenital defects ;
a consideration of the causes of which would entail many social and
personal problems. Diseases the result of improper food and
method of feeding, which arise from the inexperience and neglect
of mothers claim the chief place. Over one half of the total deaths
were due to causes dependent upon digestive diseases which are
almost invariably the result of improper methods of artificial feeding.
23 deaths were directly attributed to Gastro-Enteritis, &c., and 22 to
Marasmus, Atrophy, want of breast milk, &c. The recorded causes
of death of the remaining 22 were Measles, Whooping Cough,
Tuberculosis, Bronchitis and Pneumonia.