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23
For the same reasons as those already given in
reference to the circumstances affecting the determination
of the death-rate, it becomes necessary, in estimating the
relative share in the causation of mortality held by the
several classes of disease contained in the foregoing Table,
to exclude Class 3 (Diseases of the Brain and Nervous
System) from consideration, in consequence of the undue
augmentation which it receives by the whole mortality of
the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum. The first in order
of fatality, exclusive of Class 3, was Class 5, comprising
Diseases of the Respiratory Organs, which, as in the year
previous, were unusually numerous, and at the beginning
and end of the year of such severe type, and often so
rapidly fatal, as to create a vague suspicion of some
Zymotic origin; they formed upwards of 18 per cent. of
all deaths, and took the place of priority usually occupied
by diseases of the Zymotic-Epidemic-Contagious class
(Class 1), the latter forming 14 per cent. only. As in the
year preceding, also, the most fatal single disease was
Bronchitis, filling the position usually held by Pulmonary
Consumption. Next in order, No. 2, the Tubercular
Class, which includes Consumption, formed 12 per cent.
(nearly), and was somewhat higher than the average.
Diseases of the Heart (Class 4) were unusually numerous,
forming over 7 per cent., or about double the average.
Class 11 was also unusually large, forming over 6 per
cent. Although a heightened mortality from diseases of
the Respiratory Organs holds a prominent position in the
Table, an equally noteworthy, and more satisfactory fact is
observable in the great diminution of epidemic or contagious
diseases.
Age at Death.—Upwards of 22 per cent. of all deaths
occurred to infants under 1 year of age; 32 per cent. to
children under 5 years of age; and upwards of 38 per cent.
under 20 years of age. These figures are, with the
exception of those relating to the first year of life, which
are of average amount, considerably below the average.
Although 23 deaths only are recorded as having resulted
from age unassociated with any special disease, 68 deaths