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14
It is obvious that Mortlake continues to increase in population
more rapidly than Barnes, and, in fact, has become in point of
population the "predominant partner" in the Urban District.
The death rate at all ages is once more the lowest yet
recorded for this district, and the very marked fall in infantile
mortality is particularly noteworthy. It is true that 1907 was, in
most districts, a healthy year for infants. Still, the fact that the
infantile mortality for 1907 was so low as 92 per 1,000 births, while
the lowest rates hitherto recorded have been 111 and 112 is most
encouraging, especially when it is remembered that there has been
a steady and continuous decrease noted since 1904, and that the
birth rate itself remains at the average of the last ten years.
Important factors in securing this improvement have been
(a) the introduction of the constant water supply: (b) the improvement
in the general condition of the poorer dwellings: (c) the
particular attention given by the Surveyor to the road conditions
of the poorer quarters : and (d) the closer supervision of the retail
milk trade.
Tables IV and V, Appendix A, give detailed information of
the causes of, and ages at, death during 1907.
It will be seen that only eight deaths were due to measles,
scarlet fever, whooping cough and diphtheria, that none occurred
from enteric fever, and but seven from diarrhœa.
On the other hand, fourteen were ascribed to epidemic
influenza.
Eighteen deaths occurred from phthisis, and sixteen from
malignant disease.
These figures shew some improvement on past years.