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Our birth-rate is less than that for the Country as a whole and for
the Great Towns, but only 0 6 per 1,000 less than that prevailing
in London.
Death-rate.—This has been a very favourable one—9.5 per 1,000
as compared with 12.1 for England and Wales, 12.3 for the Great
Towns and 12 4 for London.
Our death-rate for 1920 was 9 7 and the average for the five years
1916-20, 11.4.
Our total deaths were 1,237 as against 1,293 in 1920, and the
diminution was largely due to the fewer deaths caused by Influenza and
lung diseases. There were seven fewer deaths from Diphtheria than
in 1920, but the total deaths from Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria were
only three less.
The Zymotic Death-rate, or that resulting from deaths
caused by Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever, Erysipelas, Measles, Whooping
Cough and Diarrhœa was 0.52, as compared with 0.45 in 1920, 0.59 in
1919, 0.8 in 1918, 1.58 in 1911, and 2 82 in 1901.
The increased rate of 1921 compared with 1920 was due to deaths
from Diarrhoea and Enteritis and Scarlet Fever. Diarrhœal deaths
were 45 and Scarlatinal 5, against 24, and 1 in 1920.
Deaths from all these diseases are theoretically preventable, and no
one should die except from senile decay, but we have not yet attained
to that ideal. None of the diseases mentioned caused a death-rate here
in excess of that elsewhere. The table on page 4 shows this.
Infantile Mortality Rate.—This was slightly in excess of that
of the previous year— 61.4, as against 59.9.
Under this heading come the deaths of children under 1 year of age,
and the number as compared with the births determines the rate.
There is no assumption about the rate and it is not liable to error as
the general birth-rate and Wards' rates are, which are determined on an
estimated population.
In the period 1901-10 this rate averaged 112, and only in the two
latter years of the decade was it below 100. Between 1910 and 1920 the
rate averaged 78.6, and practically every intervening year showed an
improvement.
The rate for 1920 was the lowest on record, a rate sought for but not
believed to be obtainable some 25 years ago.
Considering the character of our population, our infant mortality is
most favourable. The rate is 22 per 1,000 less than that of the Country
as a whole, and 26 per 1,000 less than that of the 96 Great Towns.