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17
That which must attract most notice in the Table is the
great numerical preponderance of diseases of the Zymotic,
Epidemic, or Contagious class, which caused 24 per cent
of all deaths, and in conjunction with it, as might be
anticipated, the very high amount of infant mortality, the
number of deaths of children not exceeding five years of
age constituting no less than 44 per cent of the total
deaths. The Tubercular class, (Class 2,) which includes
Consumption, and ((/lass 5) Diseases of the Respiratory
Organs, exclusive of Consumption, were of equal amount,
forming each upwards of 12 per cent of the whole mortality,
which is somewhat higher than usual. The deaths due to
Consumption alone, which is invariably the most fatal
single disease, formed 10 per cent; and although this
amount is actually large, it is relatively small in comparison
with most other parts of the Metropolis; indeed the
climate of this District appears, as it was formerly esteemed
to be, generally favourable to chest diseases. Diseases of
the Brain and Nervous System must, as heretofore, be
excluded from an estimate of the causation of the mortality
of this Sub-district in consequence of the disturbing
influence of the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum. The
other classes do not present any variation from the average
requiring comment.
Thirty inquests were held during the year; 13 resulted
from violence, 5 of which were from accident; 3 were
suicides and 1 homicide; while the deaths of seven persons
were not accounted for. Eight deaths also were not certified
by medical testimony. The fact of these deaths having
been unaccounted for in one Sub-district alone, shews to
what an extent throughout the country society remains
unsecured against the possibility of the perpetration of
secret crime. This is greatly to be deplored, inasmuch as an
effectual remedy against this defect would be afforded by
the employment of medical investigation in all cases of
death the cause of which has not been certified by a duly
registered medical practitioner. (See previous Reports.)
Classed with reference to social position, the table shews
that upwards of 78 per cent of all deaths, and upwards of
B