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Under the headings of "Cancer" and "Puerperal
Fever" should be included all registered deaths from
causes comprised within these general terms.
Vital Statistics.
Birth Rate.—The births registered in 1904
were 347, representing a rate of 2 1-o per 1,000 of
the population. This number is nearly the same as
in 1903, when it was 351, but with that exception is
higher than in any of the previous seven years. This
is probably clue to the considerable increase in
building that has been going on, especially in
Tolworth, nevertheless the birth rate at 21 'o is
exceedingly low and compares with that for England
and Wales at 2j'g.
Infant Mortality.—The figures dealt with
are too small to enable one to draw conclusions of
value, but to anyone who has had a long and intimate
experience with the methods of feeding and rearing
children that prevail amongst the working classes, it
is lamentable to see the little progress that has been
made during the last 30 years, and beyond what
may be put down to a better selection of foods and
certainly—in this district—better and purer milk,
the maternal knowledge has not advanced to any
great extent. How could it be otherwise, when no
instruction is available and experience is only gained
by crude experiment on their own offspring ?
I am not alone of the opinion that it is a matter
of national importance that Elementary Hygiene
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