VITAL STATISTICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17805, 2 September 1929, Page 9

VITAL STATISTICS.

FALL IN BIRTH-RATE. INCREASE IN CANCER. The actual death-rate for the Dominion for the past year was 8.49 per 1000 of the mean population. In 1927 the death-rate was 8.45. The infantile mortality was 36.18 per 1000 births, as against 38.74 for 1927. The birthrate of 19.56 per 1000 still shows a falling tendency. In 1928 the children born numbered 27,200, much the lowest for the last nine years. The above information was contained in the annual report of the Director-General of Health, presented to Parliament. Tuberculosis. The report stated that the deathrate of 5.02 per 10,000 of the mean population gave New Zealand a remarkably low death-rate for tuberculosis 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 conlerence of the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Association, held at Palmerston North, adapted recommendations that Hospital Boards should combine into four groups—two for the North Island and two for the South Island—for the administration 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 an increase on the preceding year. Cancer was principally confined to persons of forty vears 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 I 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 enj courage early treatment. The wsit of Mr Sampson Handley, the eminent English authority on cancer, resulted in the formation in New Zealand of a 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 diseh.se. Infectious Diseases.

Of the notifiable infectious diseases, the most common was scarlet fever, being epidemic for the last two years. Fortunately, in comparison with the extensive epidemic of 1903, the disease appeared of-a milder type. However, the case-mortality of 0.98 per cent, in 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 whoopingcough and measles. Enteric fever was still rare An outbreak of dysentery in the Auckland district, particularly among the Native race, occasioned much concern. Maternal Welfare. Deaths from accidents and diseases of ihe puerperal state remained at practically the same level in 1928 as in 1927, the numbers being 13 1 in 1927, and 134 in 1928. Owing to the low T er number of births in the latter year, however, the rate per 1000 births increased 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, and extension of ante-natal supervision the department hoped to be able to look forward to a reduction of deaths.

RELIEF AFTER FOUR YEARS. Mrs. J.H.D., Pukekohc, writes:— “ Many thanks for your promptness in sending trial treatment of “ Zann.” I have been troubled with Piles on and off for four years, and I have found [Treat relief through your treatment. I enclose remittance for another supTry the “Zann” remedy at our expense We will mail a generous trial treatment in plain wrapper if you send ninepence in stamps for packing and postage. Address: Zann Proprietary Box 952, Wellington. Stocks of “ Zann ” obtainable from Manning’s Pharmacies Ltd., (two shops), Hamilton. 1