MAORI HYGIENE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12091, 2 November 1933, Page 3

MAORI HYGIENE

BIRTHS CONTINUE TO EXCEED DEATHS. (Special To The Times). WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. iho death-rare among Maoris was 17.06 in 1932, as compared .with 1 RSI in 1931. There was a .slight fall .in infant-mortality, the rate be iiio- 96.45 per 1.000 live births. In ibis connection special educational endeavours are being made to reduce deaths of infants to a figure more in line with the European rate. Suitable pamphlets have been issued on the proper methods of feeding and clothing of infants. The birth-rate <of 39.23 represents a substantial rise in this rate. The mcc-e.-s of births over deaths continues to give the Maori a highly satisfactory natural increase- The deathrale for puerperal causes was 7-23 per 1,000 live hirt'hs, five oi the twenty deaths recorded being due to puerperal septicaemia. Respiratory diseases were responsible for 46.2 b per cent of the total deaths. A large number of deaths still oec-ur from iuboreulosis, the rate for all terms of this disease being 41.65 per 10.000. As a result of the co-ordination of. school medical inspection work and district nursing referred to in the

report of the Director, Division e. Nursing, closer supervision is being given to the health of the Maori people. The statistical summary relating to tbe iwork of district nurses included in the same report, shews that 2.759 visits were paid to pas. Towards the end of tbe 1932 the term of office of the majority oi Maori. Councils expired, ami the new Councils appointed are working well on behalf of the Maori race.