Annual report of the Director of Public Health for the Government of Bombay.

  • Bombay (India : State). Public Health Department.
Date:
[1931]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Director of Public Health for the Government of Bombay. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/274 (page 2)
    This year Census shows an increase of 13 per cent, over last Census. This high percentage of increase, as compared with the previoui Census, does not give a correct picture. During the decennium o 1911-20, there was the pandemic of influenza of 1918 which took a heav] toll of the population at the adult period of life and was reflected also oi the birth-rate. Consequently, the Census figure for 1921 was belo^v that of 1911. The present Census shows a recovery to the normal. Births and Deaths.—Kegistration of births and deaths may be con sidered to be the current account of the population. It is admitte< that there are ©missions and that these are more in the case of birth than deaths. This is evident from the figures arrived at by adding th» “natural increase” to the last Census and the figures of the actual census These omissions are rectified by the more accurate process of registratioi viz. census enumeration. The comparison assumes equal accuracy a both Censuses. Broadly speaking the mortality rate excluding epidemics is abou the same with a slight annual variations in the increase under fever dysentery and diarrhoea and respiratory diseases. These variations correspond to the epidemics prevailing in a particula year. In rural areas especially no accuracy in the causes of death can b expected and consequently increase under fevers when plague is pre valent, under dysentery and diarrhoea in case of epidemics of cholera and respiratory diseases during prevalence of measles are to b expected. Infantile Mortality.—The question of infantile and maternal mortality was taken up and possibly forcibly brought to the notice of the publi in this Presidency during the past decennium. Several organization such as Infant Welfare Society, Baby Week Association, Lady Wilsoi Village Maternity Association, etc., have come into existence with th object of educating the public and offering facilities and amenities t< both rural and town areas in matters of child welfare and materna mortality. The enthusiasm and work is there and requires to be co ordinated. Efforts made by these bodies are reflected in certain town where the activities are more marked. It would take some time for th< general public to be educated and to avail themselves of the amenitie offered. The infant mortality rate for the decennium 1911-20 was 202*71 a! compared to 177*30 during that of 1921-30. Much useful work ha: been done to try and reduce infantile mortality. The number o Welfare Associations was 9 in 1921 and has now increased to 17. With the object of focussing public attention for one week in a yea; on matters of health, Health Weeks continued to be celebrated from th< year 1923. Two Shows were celebrated in that year. The Shows haw now become so popular that more than 100 shows are celebrated ever} year.