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80
It will be noticed that St. James Street and Wood Street Wards have
the highest death-rate, as was the case in previous years, and that the
Northern Ward's rate is very low.
The deaths from Diarrhoea in the Northern Ward with 1,181 births,
were actually fewer than in St. James Street with 711 births, and the
total deaths from wasting diseases were 45 as against 85.
The deaths from Diarrhœa in all the Wards were much below the
usual, and were less by 21 than those caused by Bronchitis and
Pneumonia, and but one-third of those attributable to wasting diseases.
Syphilis, an inherited disease, caused more deaths than Tubercle, and
suffocation was responsible for 7 deaths through overlaying.
Of the 56 illegitimate children, seven died within their first year
of life, or at the rate of 125 per 1,000 born.
The visits of the Lady Inspector showed that the home conditions
of those living were very satisfactory. Miss Davis was told that one of
the babies at a month old “was given two saucerfuls of oats by a boy
18 years old ” ! No wonder the child died !
The following table of the Local Government Board, first issued in
1905, shows the causes of and ages at death of children under 1 year.
Under wasting diseases I have added Inanition, as so many deaths are
attributed to that cause.