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7
Diseases classed under the heading Local accounted for 1,320 deaths, as
compared with 1,188 last year. This increase is to be mainly attributed to an increase
in the number of deaths from diseases of the respiratory organs, which caused 644
deaths as compared with 536 last year. The deaths from pneumonia numbered 273,
as against 237, and the deaths from bronchitis 350, as compared with 275 in 1898.
Various disorders of the nervous system caused 273 deaths, as against 301 last year.
Of these 74 were attributed to convulsions, 91 to apoplexy, brain paralysis, and
hemiplegia, 25 to insanity and general paralysis of the insane, and 35 to inflammation of
he brain and membranes. The number of deaths attributed to insanity given above
by no means represents the total number of persons who died whilst insane. Disorders
of the circulatory system caused 208 deaths, as compared with 153 last year. Of
these 52 were the result of valvular disease, and 141 were attributed to heart disease
not stated to be valvular affection, although in all probability the majority of them
were so. Seven deaths resulted from aneurism. Disorders of the organs of digestion
were accountable for 100 deaths, as compared with 126 last year; of these enteritis
caused 19 deaths, peritonitis 18, cirrhosis of the liver 18, and 13 deaths were
attributed to other disorders of the liver. Diseases of the urinary organs caused 76
deaths, as compared with 52 last year; most of these resulted from Bright's disease.
Diseases classed as Constitutional accounted for 102 deaths, as against 93 last
year; of these 10 were attributed to rheumatic fever, and 76 to cancer. In addition
to the deaths definitely stated to have been caused by cancer, 14 deaths were attributed
to malignant disease, some of which were doubtless due to cancer. These are not
included in calculating the subjoined death-rates caused by cancer in Shoreditch during
the years 1893-99:—

Of the deaths caused by cancer in Shoreditch during 1899, 28 were of males and
48 of females, 65 were amongst persons aged between 35 and 70 years, nine were of
persons over 70 years, and two of persons under 35 years of age.