H.—3l.

Tuberculosis other than of the Respiratory System— The 95 deaths last year so assigned were distributed as follows (the figures for 1936 being given in parentheses) Tuberculosis of the meninges and central nervous system .. .. 34 (51) Tuberculosis of intestines and peritoneum .. .. .. . . 17 (21) Tuberculosis of vertebral column .. .. ■ . • • 13 (10) Tuberculosis of bones and joints .. .. • • ■ • • • 1(6) Tuberculosis of lymphatic system .. .. .. ■ • • • 1(2) Tuberculosis of genito-urinary system .. .. .. .. 7 (18) Tuberculosis of other organs .. .. • • • • • ■ 2(1) Disseminated tuberculosis .. . • • • • • .. 17 (31) Tuberculosis of skin .. .. ■ • • • ■ • • • 3 (..) 95 (140) Tuberculosis of the Respiratory System. —In the previous year (1936) there was a setback regarding this form of tuberculosis, the number of deaths (540) being 69 more than in 1935, and the question was raised in the annual report as to whether this might not be a result of the recent depression experienced, or only a more marked annual fluctuation than usual. The figures for 1937 show a definite decrease over those of the previous year, and the rate per 10,000 of mean population (3-28) is the third lowest recorded, the years showing better rates being 1935 (3-17) and 1933 (3-24). The crude death-rate from this form of tuberculosis during the period 1901-5 averaged 7-02 per 10,000 of mean population. For the period 1933-37 the average crude rate was 3-33 per 10,000, a decrease of over 50 per cent. Tuberculosis other than of the Respiratory System. —The number of deaths assigned to this heading (95) was the lowest experienced, and for the first time since 1874 was under 100. For 1936 the number of deaths was 140, 35 more than in 1935. For the period 1901-5 the average annual crude death-rate per 10,000 of mean population was 2-30 ; tor 1933-37 it was 0-82. For all forms of tuberculosis the tribute we pay to the tubercle bacillus in the form of deaths is to-day (1933-37) 4-15 per 10,000 of mean population, whereas at the beginning of the century (1901-5) it was 9-32. Infant Mortality. Deaths of infants numbered 812 and the infant-mortality rate was 31-21 per 1,000 live births, compared with 30-96 in 1936, the lowest rate on record.

Infant Mortality in New Zealand, 1930-37 (per 1,000 Live Births).

Analysis of Deaths of Infants under one Month of Age, 1937. The following table gives the causes of these deaths during the year :—

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Under : *~* n0 Total under v | Under One Month and j rp 0^a j lln( j er Year " One Month. Twelve Months - | 0ne Month, V ° Twelve Months. 1930 24-03 i 10-45 34-48 1934 .. 22-86 9-25 32-11 1931 22-69 1 9-46 32-15 1935 .. 22-03 10-23 32-26 1932 21-30 9-92 31-22 1936 .. 22-31 8-65 30-96 1933 22-81 i 8-79 31-64 1937 .. 22-22 j 8-99 31-21

, 1§>ii n| iii |n Cause of Death. Oneway ® ® * S Total. une .Day. 2t)o o -d » ® t3 o O a J3 .9 8 £ I MS "as "SO OcSrf c_| £ J3 J3 efl q :-. ■ I _J | H I 6-1 H Diphtheria .. • • • • ■ • • • • • Whooping-cough Influenza .. •• •• •• •• •• 1 1 •• 2 Syphilis Convulsions .. • • • • • • • • 4 Broncho-pneumonia .. •• •• •• 2 3 .. .. 5 Pneumonia .. • ■ ■ • • • • • 1 Diarrhoea and enteritis .. .. • • ■ • ■ ■ • • 1 Congenital malformations • • • ■ 24 37 16 4 4 85 Congenital debility • • • • • • 10 5 • • 3 .. 18 Injury at birth .. • ■ • • • • 16 33 5 3 .. 57 Premature birth . • • ■ ■ • 174 94 19 8 3 298 Other diseases of early infancy .. •• 17 55 5 2 2 81 Accidental mechanical suffocation Other causes . . . . • • 3 ® 10 4 1 26 Totals, 1937 .. • ■ • • 244 239 59 26 10 578 Totals, 1936 227 219 65 26 17 554