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Diseases of the Tubercular class, which includes Consumption
and Scrofula, stand first in order of fatality,
constituting upwards of 18 per cent. of all deaths. These
were nearly equalled by those of the Zymotic class which
formed 17 per cent., and of the Respiratory organs which
formed 16½ per cent. Diseases of the Digestive organs
formed 7 per cent. As usual the most fatal single
disease was Consumption, which caused 11 per cent. (nearly)
of all deaths. Inflammation of the Lungs was unusually
fatal, causing 7 per cent. Diseases of the Brain and
Nerves cannot be entertained in a consideration of the
causation of mortality of this parish, in consequence of the
disturbing influence of the County Lunatic Asylum, whoso
inmates are derived from the whole county of Surrey.
That which must attract most notice in the table is the
large proportion of deaths from Zymotic diseases, and from
diseases of the Respiratory organs.
Age at Death.— Upwards of 21 per cent. of all deaths
took place under the age of one year, and 32 per cent. under
the age of five years. This rate of infant mortality,
although actually great, is relatively small compared with
that of most populous localities. 39 per cent. occurred
under 20 years of age. As favourable evidence of our
general salubrity, the following instances of longevity
deserve to be recorded—20 deaths are registered as having
resulted from old age, the ages of 18 of which varied from
80 to 89, the average age having been 83.
Social Position.— The labouring and industrial classes
suffered 78 per cent. of all deaths, and 5-6ths of the deaths
from Epidemic diseases. 7-8ths of the deaths from diseases
of the Tubercular class, and, with but one exception, all
the deaths from Consumption, took place amongst them.
As the working classes constitute 9 out of 13 parts of
the whole bulk of society, it is evident, that in addition to
the circumstance of their having suffered an undue amount
of general disease, they suffered also from the great bulk of
those diseases which are found by experience to be associated
with the defective sanitary conditions of houses
and other causes of a vitiated atmosphere.
Twenty-two inquests were held during the year. Nine