THE PUBLIC HEALTH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2808, 28 June 1916, Page 6

THE PUBLIC HEALTH

. REPORT FOR THE YEAR. The births in 1915, says tho Public Hoaith Department's report, were 27,850, or 488 less titan in 1911, while the rate per 1000 persons fell by 0.66. "This reduction in the birth-rate," says the report, "small as it may be, must be regarded as serious, especially in. these momentous times." The number of male children bom during the year was 14,415, and of female children 13,435. Tho deathrate fell from. 9.31 per 1000 in 1914 to 9.06 in 1915, whilst the infantile mortality rate was 50.05 per 1000 births, the lowest hitherto recorded. Of the four centres, Christchurch was tho lowest at 54.24, the others being Auckland 71.67, Wellington 57,17, and Dunedin 72,26. Touching on tho three special scouTges of cancer, tuberculosis, ana venereal ais"cases, the Public Health Department's report espressos pleasure at tho prospective introduction of legislation to limit the spread of venereal disease. "Thongh tho prevalence of these diseases in this country is much exaggerated, there is no doubt that the time is most opportune for putting into force many, if not all, of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the subject." Cancer is credited with 900 deaths, as against 693 deaths from tubercular diseases. The assistance of the British Medical Association in a campaign against the disease with the public is welcomed, and the hope is expressed that the campaign aeainst tuberculosis initiated in 1912 will not be allowed to drop.