Report of the Health Officer, Corporation of Madras Health Department.

  • Madras (India). Health Department.
Date:
[1938]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Health Officer, Corporation of Madras Health Department. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/178 (page 9)
    VITAL STATISTICS Rainfall •— During the year the total rainfall was 26*46 inches as compared with 61*38 inches in 1937 and 44*25 inches in 1936, the average rainfall for the past 5 years (1933-37) being 44*56 inches. A scrutiny of the available records relating to the rainfall in the city for the past 27 years reveals that in no year had the rainfall been so low as during the year under report. In 1926 and 1927, there had been at least a rainfall of 31*42 inches and 32*4 inches respectively. The seasonal distribution was as follows : w l.. Inter-monsoon period Average for 5 years 1(m (1933-1937) 1938 (January to May) South-west monsoon .... 2*72 inches 2*68 inches 2*11 inches (June to September) ^North-east monsoon .... 13-56 „ 17-64 „ 13*86 „ • (October to December) ... 28*28 „ 41*06 „ 10*49 „ Total ... 44*56 „ 61*38 „ 26*46 „ As compared with 1937 and with the average rainfall for the past 5 years, there was a distinct failure of the north-east monsoon during the year forecasting unfavourable economic conditions. The atmospheric conditions recorded during 1938 are furnished in the Annual Form A and Table B. Area and 'population :—Madras city has an area of 29*396 sq. miles with a population of 6,47,230 according to 1931 census. The estimated mid-year population for 1938 works out to 7,50,630 giving a density of 39*9 per acre. This estimate has been arrived at by the method of geo¬ metrical progression. The birth and death rates calculated on the census population do not take into account the growth of the population in the intervening years and as such fail to show the exact state of public health. For purposes of comparison the rates based on the estimated mid-year population should be preferred as these rates take into account the growth of the population. The important rates in the report are based on the estimated popu¬ lation. The rates in the various statistical tables appended to this report •are based on the census population. # The population for each of the 40 municipal divisions into which the city is divided as per Madras City Municipal (Amendment) Act, 1936, not being available, it has not been possible to work out the various divisional rates in the statements. Registration of births and deathsds compulsory in the city and the work is done by a staff of 17 sub-assistant surgeons.