CAUSES OF DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 186, 8 August 1930, Page 8

CAUSES OF DEATH.

CANCER RATE HIGHER.

LESS INFANTILE MORTALITY.

HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday.

The actual death-rate of the Dominion for the year that ended on March 31 was 8.75 per thousand of the mean population. In 1928 the death-rate was. 8.49. The infantile mortality rate was 34.10, which represents a remarkable fall on the previous year's rate of 36.18. This summary is contained in ..the annual report of the Director-General of Health, Dr. T. H. A. Valintine,, presented in the House to-day. : ' The tuberculosis death-rate of 4.56 per 10,000 of the mean population established a record, for the rate in 1928 was 5.02. "The death-rate. from cancer (10.43) is the highest on record," states the report. "Cancer is all too prevalent,and this should act as a stimulus ! to the campaign inaugurated by the New, Zealand branch of the . British Empire' Campaign Society, which shows promise of becoming a very real force. The liberal donations to this worthy organisation by public-spirited citizens are very satisfactory." Of the notifiable infectious diseases, the scarlet fever rate ran fairly high, but the type was of a mild nature, with a case-mortality rate per 1000 notifications of 5.57, in comparison with 8.96 for the previous year. A light year was experienced with regard to whooping cough, but the diph-1 theria death-rate showed a rising tendency. However, the death-rate of 0.05 per 10,000 for diphtheria showed a remarkable fall in comparison with the rates of early years. "A slight improvement in the deathrate from disease and accidents of the puerperal state is recorded," states the report, in dealing with maternal welfare. "Of such deaths 120 took place, being Jiv<t less than for 1028. The rate per JOOO live births was 4.82, which marks a slight fall on the previous rate of 4.93."