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21 [1900
DEATHS.
The mortality returns are particularly good, whether they be compared with
the record of the preceding five years, with the years preceding to 1885, with which
period they have for statistical purposes been generally contrasted, or, with the
sixty-four years which have elapsed since death registration was commenced;
for in all this period they have only been as few, due correction having been made
for the great increase in the population, on three occasions, namely, in 1889, 1894,
and 1897.
The number of registered deaths was 5,721, or a decrease of 554 on the
corrected average of the preceding fifteen years, 1885-99, prior to which time
it would be necessary to go back thirty-five years before a return that was nearly
so good could be found. This was in 1850, when 1,609 deaths were registered,
which in a population of the size of last year would represent 6,197 deaths, or 376
more than the present return.
The death-rate was equal to 16·23 Per 1,000 of the population, or 1·57 per
1,000 below the mean death-rate of the preceding fifteen years, in which period
the previous lowest records were 16·10 in 1889, 15·92 in 1894, and 15·80 in 1897.
There is no doubt that had not the severity of the first quarter caused so many
deaths from respiratory diseases the mortality would have been the lowest hitherto
experienced.
The death-rate must also be considered as satisfactory because it is below the
"Standard Death-rate" of the Borough, 17·90 per 1,000. By standard death-rate
is meant the rate at all ages calculated on the hypothesis that the rates at each of
twelve age periods were the same as in England and Wales during the ten years,
1881-90. Too much stress is not, however, placed on this fact, as within the last
decade no doubt the death-rate of the country has improved; but to what extent
can not be known with accuracy until the census returns as to ages and number
have been published.
Death-rates in past years.—From what has been written above it is to
be gathered that there has been a great improvement in the death-rate when
comparisons are made with the rates that obtained in past years. In studying the
death-rate at this period, the close of the century in which for the first time a
systematic endeavour has been made to accurately determine the mortality returns
of this country, this would appear to be an opportune time to place on record, not
only for the purpose of contrasting the present state of health of this Borough, as
judged by the death returns, but also for placing on record for future reference the
returns from the time when the registration of deaths first began in 1837. At
present such death returns are only to be obtained in the annual reports of the
registrar-general, while the death-rates are not to be found at all. The following
table has consequently been compiled, which it is hoped, may prove useful to every
person who takes an interest in the health of the borough in which he lives. They
will be found to be as nearly accurate as it has been possible to obtain them.