ï~~ VITAL STATISTICS, 1919 FREDERIC V. BEITLER, Chief POPULATION, BIRTHS AND DEATHS The efforts of Boards of Health and sanitarians are di-,rected toward increasing the birth rate, diminishing the death rate and increasing the duration of life. As a basis upon which to direct their efforts in the State of Maryland, the tables contained within this report have been devised. All the earlier tables will be maintained and others added from time to time. All Vital Statisticians use the Census figures of the population. The figures for Census years, of course, are most valuable. In inter-census years, the population is computed by the arithmetic method. The returned mortality in Maryland probably now constitutes 100% of the total deaths. Birth registration constitutes about 98% of the total births. The deaths registered in Maryland during 1919 were, for Rural Maryland, 10,526; in Baltimore City, 11,325; making the total for the State of 21,851. The births reported in 1919 were, for Rural Maryland, 16,421; for Baltimore City, 17,618; making a total for the State of 34,039, giving an apparent increase in the population of the State of 12,188. The figures for Maryland during 1918 were: Births, 34,179; deaths, 32,183; an increase of 1,996 births over deaths. The 1919 figures show a decrease of 140 births to those registered during 1918. Population of Maryland-1919 The figures for the population for the inter-census years are estimated by the arithmetic method as advised by the American Public Health Association, and are corrected as of July 1st of each year. The yearly increment is given 0