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It will be seen that in the decennium 1895-1904 the London death-rate was exceeded by the
death-rates of Paris, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Rome and New York, and in 1905 was lower than that
of any except Brussels and Amsterdam.
The following table shows the crude death-rates, and the death-rates corrected for differences
in the age and sex constitution of the population of the several sanitary districts during the year
1905; the mean death-rates for the period 1901-48 are also shown for the purposes of comparison.

With regard to the foregoing table, it may be stated that a more accurate method of correcting
for diSerences in the age and sex constitution of the populations compared than that adopted, i.e., the
calculation of an age and sex factor, is that of applying the death.rates at each age-period to a standard
population. The method adopted, however, has the advantage of easier application and involves less
arithmetical labour, inasmuch as the factor when calculated may be applied each year during an intercensal
period; the method also has the advantage of being applicable where the death-rates at the
several age-periods are not obtainable. The difference in the results obtained from the use of the tw o
methods in question is, however, so slight as to be negligible for practical purposes where the age and
sex distribution of the populations compared are not markedly abnormal, thus the London death-rate
1 All death-rates in this report relating to foreign cities are calculated upon figures publishen by the registrar
General.
2 See footnote (2), page 9.
3 Owing to the changes consequent upon the London Government Act, 1899, the death-rates in the present
metropolitan boroughs cannot be shown prior to the year 1901. .... ...
4 All death-rates in this report relating to metropolitan sanitary districts are fully corrected for institutions
(see footnote (1), page 9).