VITAL STATISTICS.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17679, 2 September 1929, Page 5

VITAL STATISTICS.

FALL IN BIRTH-RATE.

INCREASE IN CANCER.

A PARLIAMENTARY REPORT.

The actual death-rate for the Dominion for the past year was 8.49; per 1000 of the mean population. In 1527 the death-rate was 8.45. The infantile mortality was 36.18 per. 1000 births, as against 38.47 for 1927. The birth-rate of 19.56 per 1000 still shews a falling tendency. In 1928 the children bora numl>ered 27,200, much the lowest for the last nine years. ' Tuberculosis. ;. The report stated that the dt»ath- : rate of 5.02 per 10,000 of the mean population gave. New Zealand a remarkably low death-rat© for tuber-.' culosis in comparison with other countries. The medical committee appointed to inquire into the question and' treatment- of pulmonary tuberculosis in New Zealand, after a very thorough investigation, presented their valuable report. The general conference of the New Zealand Hospital Hoards' Association, held at Palmerston North, adopted recommendations that Hospital Boards should combine into four groups—two for the North Island and two for the South Island—for the admin-.; istratioii of tuberculosis sanatoria. Satisfactory progress was being- made!; towards the carrying out of that scheme. ' ,- ■

. ■' Cancer. '■[':.■ The death-rate of 987 per 10*000 of . living persons represented ah increase On the' preceding year. Cancer was principally confined to persons -.■'.■ of forty years of age and upwards, and during* 1928, of all persons over the age of forty years whose deaths were registered, one in every seven of males and one in every six of females died" from cancer. The department had continued to give, wide publicity by the aid of the Press and display of posters and circulation of leaflets as, to the early signs and symptoms of the disease, so as to encourage early treatment. The visit' of Mr. Sampson, Handler, the eminent, English authojrity on cancer, resulted in the formation in New Zeals&d; of ;:» branch of the. British Empire Cancer, Campaign. With/the formation •of this branch one could look forward with confidence to renewed endeavours to fight this formidable disease., r ; Infectious Disease. . -,-. Of the. notifiable infectious diseases the most, common was scarlet fever, being, epidemic for the last two years.;. Fortunately, in comparison with the extensive enidemic of 1903, the disease appeared of a milder type. However, the case-mortality of .0.89 per cent ini 1928 showed an increase on the'rate for 1927, which was 0.73. Influenza(all forms), showed an increase and a higher death-rate; ~ diphtheria, a slight increase; while a light'year was experienced in regard ;to whoophing couch and measles. Enteric fever; was still rare. An outbreak of dysentery in the Auckland district, particularly among the. - Native race, occasioned much concern. V ' ' Maternal Welfare.

Deaths from accidents and diseases of the puerperal state remained, at practically the same level in 1928 as' in 1927, the numbers. being 137 in' 1927 and 134 in 1928. Owing to the lower number of births in the latter year, however, the. rate per 1000 Girths slightly, from 4:91 ; to 4.93. The reduction of deaths from these causes was a perplexing problem, -but with the better training of medical students and the midwife; a higher standard of asepsis, i'and tension of ante-natal supervision, the department hoped to be able to look forward to a reduction of deaths.