Abstract
WE have received two volumes of the medical census of Nigeria, vol. 5, Northern Provinces by Dr. R. C. Jones, and vol. 6, Southern Provinces by Dr. J. G. S. Turner ("Census of Nigeria, 1931". Crown Agents for the Colonies, 1932. 4 Millbank, London, S.W.I. Price Is. and 8s. respectively). Attention is directed to the difficulties of obtaining reliable data in a native population, so that the results are approximate only. Details are given of the climate, sanitation, and social customs of the districts. The percentage of males and females at all ages are approximately the same. Children are welcome, and the birth-rate is high, 40–55 per 1,000. As might be expected, the infant mortality rate is high, as much as 250–350 per 1,000 births. Smallpox is prevalent, and in some districts more than half the population have suffered attack. The percentage vaccinated varies much, from scarcely any in some areas to 90 in other areas. Malaria is hyperendemic and there is some leprosy. A note on the covers of the volumes of the census states that an insecticide has been used in the binding so as to render them impervious to the ravages of insects.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Medical Census of Nigeria. Nature 132, 543 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1038/132543c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/132543c0