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12
It will be seen from this table that the rate of mortality in 1905 was considerably lower than that
of the period 1891-1900 at each age-period of life and for each sex, except at the period 85 and upwards.
In previous annual reports it has been shown that a more accurate estimate of the effect on
the community of fluctuations of mortality could be obtained by the use of a "life table," the method
adopted being similar to that employed by Dr. Tatham in a report on the health of greater Manchester
for the period 1891-3. The advantages of this method and the formulae used are set out in some
detail in the London life table appended to the annual report for 1901. It will be seen from the
description therein contained that in order to apply this method of comparison it is necessary in the
first place to ascertain from the life table the mean future life time of males and females in groups of ages
corresponding to those age-groups to which the deaths relate. The following table shows the results
thus obtained from the London life table, 1891-1900:—

In the following table the number of deaths occurring in the year 1905 at each age-period and
for each sex is compared with the number of deaths which would have occurred had the death-rates of
the period 1891-1900 been maintained in the year 1905. The number of lives gained in the latter period
is also shown, and the figures in the last column of the table express this gain in terms of "life capital,"
these being obtained by applying the mean future lifetime figures given in Table I. to the number of
lives gained at each age-group:—