View report page

11
The birth-rate was 18.5, and is probably the lowest rate
recorded in the old Parish and Borough of Battersea,
with the exception of the years 1917 and 1918, when the rates
were 177 and 161 respectively. The decline in the birth-rate,
which is such a marked feature during recent years of the vital
statistics of all civilised communities is very disquieting. This
important question has been referred to in previous annual
reports. It is satisfactory, at least, to note that one of the
main causes responsible—i.e., venereal disease—is now
receiving practical attention, and that steps are being taken to
educate the public to the danger to the health and well-being
of the nation from the unchecked ravages of venereal disease.
The decline in the birth-rate in Battersea, as compared
with that in London and in England and Wales, is shown in
the table below:—
Birth-rate per 1,000 Population.
Years.
England & Wales.
London.
Battersea.
1877-81
34.9
35.3
40.5
1882-86
33.3
34.0
40.0
1887-91
33.2
33.9
36.1
1892-96
30.1
30.6
32.4
1897-1901
29.0
29.5
30.8
1902-06
27.8
27.7
27.5
1907-11
25.5
25.5
24.8
1912-16
22.9
23.5
24.4
1917
17.8
17.9
177
1918
17.7
16.0
16.1
1919
18.5
18.3
18.5
The following tables show the birth-rates per 1,000 of
the population for each of the nine Wards of the Borough,
and the registration sub-districts:—
Ward.
Population
1919.
Number of
Births.
Birthrate.
No. 1, Nine Elms
27,085
630
23.3
No. 2, Park
17,405
350
20.1
No. 3, Latchmere
19,880
341
17.2
No. 4, Shaftesbury
15,861
219
13.8
No. 5, Church
19,171
407
21.2
No. 6, Winstanley
20,032
436
21.8
No. 7, St. John
8,129
137
16.9
No. 8, Bolingbroke
18,298
283
15.5
No. 9, Broomwood
20,099
272
13.5