Conference of Medical Officers of Health

THE census returns of 1891 show some remarkable results.The population of England and Wales, as estimated to April, 1891, amounted to 29,704,068, while, as enumerated, the actual numbers were 29,001,018, a difference of 703,350 persons.The decennial rate of increase was 11-65 per cent., against 14.36 in the previous decade, and it was lower than in any previous intercensal period.The natural increase of population amounted to only 3,630,761, whereas it would have been 3,919,543 had the increase been in the same proportion as it was in the preceding decennium.This was due to a steady fall in the birth-rate which has been going on continuously since 1876, when it was at its maximum.It was lower in 1890 than in any year during the last half-century, and it was 5.8 per 1,000 less than in 1876.This decline cannot be accounted for by a decrease in the marriage rate, and it will probably be found that in a consider- able section of the population large families are not so often met with as in former periods.It is a fact well worthy of