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67 [1910
Islington, for when the returns are examined in quinquennial periods from
1886 to the present time, it is found that there has been a very large decrease
in the number of deaths, especially during the last two quinquennial periods.
The figures for the several quinquennia are as follows:—
1886-1890 975 deaths
1891-1896 866 „
1896-1900 834 „
1901-1905 583 „
1906-1910 ' 459 „
Here we see that there has been the very satisfactory decrease in the
mortality from 975 deaths in the 1886-1890 quinquennium to 459 in the
1906-1910 period, so that even this disease, like others of the epidemic class,
shows a decreased mortality. It is, however, still far too high.
Ages at Death. 64 out of 124 registered deaths occurred among
children under 1 year old, and of these five occurred in the second month of
life, 6 in the third, 3 in the fourth, 4 in the fifth, 5 in the sixth, 10 in the
seventh, 0 in the eighth, 6 in the ninth, 6 in the tenth, 12 in the eleventh and
7 in the twelfth. Between 1 and 5 years of age there were 57 deaths, and
only 3 above this age. Thus we find that out of the 124 deaths, all except
3 occurred among children under 5 years old, and of these 53 per cent, had
not attained their first year. This is one of the saddest stories that has to be
told in connection with public health work, for the deaths are very frequently
entirely preventable, and are always preceded by very great suffering on the
part of the little patients. There is probably no more distressing sight than
that of a little helpless baby struggling for its breath in one of the paroxysms of
this disease. Instruction of mothers is truly necessary if the mortality from
it is ever to be brought within reasonable bounds.
Particulars are given with respect to the deaths in the various districts in
the Table which follows:—
f 2