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19
In determining the relative proportions borne by the
several classes of disease in the causation of the mortality,
it is necessary to exclude class 3 (Diseases of the Brain and
Nerves) in consequence of the disturbing influence of the
County Asylum under the circumstances already explained
in reference to the death-rate. Excluding class 3, the
first in order of fatality was the Tubercular class,
occupying the position usually held by class 1, the
Zymotic (Epidemic—Contagious) and constituting about
18 per cent, of all deaths, and upwards of twice the average
amount. Belonging to this class is Consumption, which, as
is usually the case, was the most fatal single disease and
formed 13|½ percent., and the next class was the Zymotic,
of a little under the same amount. Class 4 (Heart Diseases)
was unusually large, contributing double its usual amount
of fatality. Class 11 was also great, exceeding, as in the
previous year, the average by nearly one third.
Age at Death.—A little under 22 per cent, of all
deaths occurred to infants under one year of age;
upwards of 32 per cent, to children under 5 years of age;
and upwards of 38 per cent, under 20 years of age; thus
almost exactly corresponding with similar figures of the
preceding year. Collectively the infant mortality was
considerably below the average, as might be anticipated
from the less prevalence of the Zymotic diseases incidental to
childhood. 12 deaths only are recorded as the result of
old age unassociated with any particular disease, but 49
occurred between the ages of 70 and 89; viz.:—from
70—75, twenty-one ; 75—80, thirteen ; 80—85, thirteen;
one at 87, and one at 89.
Social Position. —70 per cent, of all the deaths from
general disease, and 71 per cent, of the deaths from Zymotic
diseasestookplaceamongthe labouringclasses. This amount,
although excessive according to their relative numerical
proportion, is very much less than the average of the past
ten years, which is found to have been 78 per cent, (nearly) ;
and the statistics of these reports shew that since the
existence of the Board, the proportion of fatality borne by
the working classes to that of the other classes of the
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