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64
Of the non-Zymotic diseases, it has been already
remarked, the diseases of the Respiratory Organs
occupy a prominent position. The number of deaths from
these diseases this year is larger than it has ever before
been in this district. Diseases of the Brain and Nervous
System stand next in point of fatality, though they do
not seem to be much above the average. Tubercular
diseases show a slight decrease upon the fatality for the
last few years. The other causes of death maintain very
much their usual relative proportions.
Sickness and Mortality among the Poor.—It will be
seen from Table V. in the Appendix that 107 cases of
sickness occurred among the pauper population, of these
12 died, that is, 11.2 per cent. There was exceedingly
little epidemic disease, and no deaths from Zymotic maladies.
The diseases of the Chest caused three-fourths of
the above death-rate.
Ages at Death.—The mortality among children during
the past year was slightly in excess of the last two years.
It compares favourably with other districts. Of the 82
fatal cases among children, 24 were of Zymotic origin,
chiefly from Whooping Cough, Diarrhoea, and Diphtheria,
14 were grouped under the title of Premature Birth, Low
Vitality and Malformation, and the remaining 44 were
distributed amongst the Respiratory, Tubercular and
Nervous groups. There were comparatively few deaths of
persons between 10 and 60 years of age. One case of Scarlet
Fever, one of Diphtheria, and four cases of other fevers
occurred between these ages. The other cases were chiefly
of Tubercular, Respiratory and Nervous diseases.
The Senile mortality is most encouraging and speaks
well for the salubrity of the district. More than a third
of the total mortality was of persons above 60, namely 92
cases, of which 14 were above 80. The oldest was 90
years. Of course Old Age was the most frequent cause of
death, followed by Respiratory, Nervous diseases and
diseases of the Heart and Digestive organs.