The latest vital statistics in comparison with other 'ears show
the remarkable effects of an epidemic of fluenza. In the first quarter of the present year the umber of deaths in England and Wales exceeded the umber of births by 1,644. In the first quarters of 924, 1925 and 1926, -when there was no influenza, the xeess of births over deaths was 25,115, 37,224 and ,477 respectively The epidemic of this year, though it was short, accounted for 17,931 deaths in England and Wales. This was the highest mortality from influenza in any quarter since 1919—the year of the greatest influenza scourge in history. The birth-rate in the first quarter of this year was 17.3 per thousand, the lowest on record except in 1919. The birth-rate is now at such a point that a serious epidemic is capable of reduci' the population not relatively, but absolutely.
* * * *
Previous page
