View report page

23
Excluding diseases of the Brain and Nervous System
from a consideration of the causation of mortality proper to
this parish, in consequence of the undue exaltation of this
class of diseases by the mortality of the Surrey County
Lunatic Asylum, the Tubercular Class (which includes
Consumption and Scrofula) constituted by far the greatest
proportion of the causes of death, amounting to above 19
per cent. of the whole. Next in order of fatality were
diseases of the Organs of Respiration, forming upwards of
14 per cent. The Zymotic Class (Epidemic, Endemic,
Contagious,) which usually takes precedence of all the
other classes, occupied, it is satisfactory to see, a much
lower position last year, shewing a somewhat less per
centage than the class preceding. Consumption was, as
usual, the most fatal single disease, and formed over 13
per cent., or about one fourth higher amount than tho
average. The other classes present but little deviation
from the average amount.
Age at Death.—Nearly one fourth of all deaths occurred
to infants during their first year of age; nearly 37 per cent.
to children under 5 years; and nearly 45 per cent. took
place under 20 years of age. At the other extreme of life
12 deaths are recorded as having resulted from natural
decay alone, but no less than 34 occurred above the age of
70 : viz,, from 70—75, fourteen; 75—80, eight; 80—85,
seven; 85—90, four; and one at 95,
Social Position.—Upwards of 81 per cent. of all deaths,
and 78 per cent. of the deaths from Epidemic diseases, took
place amongst the labouring classes. This proportion of
mortality from Epidemic disease, although actually great, is
relatively much less than the average.