Heilbrigðisskýrslur - 01.12.1929, Page 135

Public Health in Iceland 1929.
A Summary.
1. In 1929 the cliiiidtic conditions were on the whole favourahle.
I'he ntmosphcric pressure in the whole country was 0,1 inm. above
the average. The mean temperature of the air was 1,7° above Ihe
average. The rainfall was 9% above the average. In Reykjavik (the
capital) there was more sunshine during the summer months than
had heen recorded for 7 years. 'I'he year was in other respects fairly
propitious. The trades were prosperous. There was little or no un-
cmploijment. Consequently the general competency was compara-
tively easy.
2. Population, births and deaths. The population was on December
3lst 1929 106350, including Reykjavik 26423 (192«: 104812 and
-5217). The marriage rate was 7,2 (6,9), tlie birth rate 25,0 (24,2)
and death rate 11,7 (10,8) per 1000 inhabitants. 'I’he death rate was
slightly higher than iu 1928, but in that year the death rate was the
lowest on record in Iceland. Infant mortaliti/ was lower than ever be-
iore, 43,0 (50,1) per 1000 born alive. The lowest figure had been at-
tained in 1925, 45,6 per 1000.
3. Causes of death are shown on pages 6—9.
The ten following are the most common:
ruberculosis (all forms) .......................
tfld Age .......................................
Cancer — Malignant Growths .....................
I’neumonia (lobar and lobular) .................
IMseases of the Heart ..........................
Apoplexy .......................................
Accidents (all forms) ..........................
t’remature Birth and Debility of Newborn ....
Influenza ......................................
‘'feasles ......................................
Dtber and Unknown Causes .......................
%o Ot' %„ of the
Number deaths population
214 172,9 2,0
159 128,5 1,5
150 121,3 1,4
112 90,5 1.1
105 84,9 1,0
97 78,4 0,9
fil 49,3 0,6
26 21,0 0,2
21 17.0 0,2
13 10,5 0,1
279 225,7 2,7
4. Epidemic diseases. The incidence of epidemic diseases is shown
in tables II, III and IV, 1 —23. The great majority of these epidernic
diseases are indigenous. önly the more serious influenza epidemics,
mumps, whooping cough and measles are doubtless imported from
abroad.