DIVISION OF VITAL STATISTICS

ALBANY, N. Y., March 5, 1918

HERMANN M. BIGGS, M. D., Commissioner of Health, Albany, N. Y.:

DEAR SIR.I have the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the Division of Vital Statistics covering the results of registration of births, deaths and marriages in the State of New York during the calendar year 1917.

Very truly yours,

OTTO R. EICHEL,

Director

BY

GLADDEN W. Baker,

Senior Statistician

Births

There were 246,453 births registered in New York State during 1917, equivalent to 23.5 per thousand total population of both sexes and all ages, a rate slightly higher than in 1916 (23.4), but lower by 0.5 per thousand than the rate for 1915 (24.0). The movement of the birth rate in the State since the establishment of registration is shown below by five year periods, during the earlier of which incomplete registration resulted in deficient rates.

Birth rate by districts. Table 12 pages 413, 415, shows the birth rate in the chief subdivisions of the State and in each city for 1917 and the five years' period 1912-1916.

Sex proportions at birth. Births of males in 1917 totaled 126,866 and those of females 119,587, the proportion of male to female births thus being 1,061 to 1,000. The corresponding proportions in each year, and by groups of years, from 1908 onward has been as follows in the State:

The ratio is seen to have declined from 1,058 in the period 1908-1912 to 1,051 in 1913-1917. The proportion in 1917 (1,061 to 1,000) is the highest since 1909.

Births by months. The average daily number of births for each month stated in proportion to the average daily number for the whole year taken as 100 has been as follows during the decade 1908-1917:

In February and March the proportion of births is high; a second high point occurs in July and August.

Birth rate by months. During the 5 years 1913-1917, the annual birth rate per 1,000 population at all ages has been highest in March and lowest in November.

BIRTH RATE BY MONTHS: NEW YORK STATE, NEW YORK CITY, AND STATE OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY

Stillbirths.

Stillbirths are classed separately from births and

deaths. The ratio of stillbirths to live births in the State has decreased during recent years.

The ratio of stillbirths to live births is lowest in the summer

As compared with live births, the greater concentration of stillbirths in the winter may be further shown by stating the average daily number for each month in proportion to the average daily number for the year, taken as 100:

The total number of deaths registered in New York State during 1917 was 154,127, corresponding to a rate of 14.7 per 1,000 total population at all ages. With the exception of the year 1915, when the crude death rate was 14.5, the rate of 14.7 is as low as any recorded for the State, identical rates being returned in 1916 and 1914. The movement of the death rate in the State since 1885 is shown below by five year periods; excluding the period 1885-1889, during which incomplete registration resulted in a deficient rate, there has been continuous decline.

Death rate in New York City and rest of State.

For the

years 1915, 1916, and 1917 the death rates per 1,000 total population in New York city and the rest of the State have been: