Health > Memorandum relating to the enquiries into the causes and prevention of still-births and mortality during the first year of life

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The largest number of deaths was due to respiratory diseases ; the number attributable
to premature birth and other unknown causes was likewise considerable. There was a certain
number of cases of acute specific infectious diseases, and several deaths were due solely to
digestive disturbances.
In addition to deaths under 1 year, there were 90 1 still-births.
Urban Districts.
Leyden (Netherlands). — There were 50 deaths under 1 year, i.e. 35.6 per 1,000 live births,
distributed as follows : digestive disturbances 2 ; specific infectious diseases 3 ; other infectious
diseases 18 ; non-microbic disease 1 ; congenital malformations 4 ; obstetrical traumatisms 6 ;
premature births 9 ; other unknown causes 7.
Hence the largest number of deaths were due to respiratory diseases and to premature
birth without further diagnosis ; a comparatively large number was also caused by obstetrical
traumatisms and congenital malformations. The small number of deaths due to digestive
disturbances is very remarkable. The number of specific infectious diseases constituting the
direct cause of death was very small. However, on examining the details of respiratory affections,
we find that the predisposing causes were : in 1 case measles, in 5 cases whooping-cough and
in some seven cases influenza.
There were also 41 still-births, i.e. 29.2 per 1,000 live births.
Dordrecht (Netherlands). — Of the 39 deaths under 1 year (37.7 per 1,000 live births),
none were due to digestive disturbances. One was caused by a specific infectious disease ;
14 by other infectious diseases ; 2 by non-microbic diseases ; 2 by congenital malformations :
4 by obstetrical traumatisms ; 2 by serious accidents ; 9 were due to premature birth and 5
to unknown causes.
Respiratory diseases were the most important causes of death. There was only one case
of a specific infectious disease (syphilis); but the predisposing causes of respiratory diseases were :
in 2 cases measles, in 6 cases whooping-cough and in 2 or 3 cases influenza. A fairly large
number of deaths was due to premature birth or unknown causes.
The total number of still-births was 30, namely, 29 per 1,000 live births.
Oslo West (Norway). — Out of the 21 2 deaths under 1 year, none were due to digestive
disturbances or specific infectious diseases. The causes of death were as follows: other infectious
diseases, 6 cases ; congenital malformations, 2 ; obstetrical traumatisms, 3 ; serious accident, 1;
premature birth given as the sole cause of death, 6. Only 3 were due to unknown causes.
Respiratory diseases and premature birth were the principal causes of the very small
number of deaths under one year.
In addition to the 21 deaths under 1 year, there were 203 still-births in the district.
Districts with a Moderate Infant Mortality.
Rural Districts.
Lochois and Chinonais (France). — Out of 65 deaths under 1 year (56.3 per 1,000 live births),
10 were due to digestive disturbances ; 13 to specific infectious diseases ; 5 to other infectious
diseases ; 1 to non-microbic disease ; 4 to congenital malformations ; 2 to obstetrical trauma¬
tisms ; 19 to premature birth or debility ; 4 to various causes ; the cause of 4 deaths was never
ascertained in spite of enquiries and of 4 others owing to the absence of any enquiry.
1 Seven cases escaped enquiry. The total number is therefore 97, representing 28.6 per 1,000 live births.
2 Number of deaths in Oslo West : 23 (two cases escaped enquiry) = 38.5 per 1,000 live births.
3 Number of still-births : 22 (two cases escaped enquiry) = 36.7 per 1,000 live births.