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Influenza.—The number of deaths referred to influenza, as a primary
or secondary cause of death, amounted to 35, as against 19 in 1897, 13
in 1896, and 68 in 1895, the last year in which influenza was widely
epidemic in London. Of the 35 deaths, 9 belonged to Kensal Town.
Twenty-five of the total occurred in the first three months of the year.
In London generally there was no widespread epidemic in 1898, but
deaths have been recorded from this disease in every week of the year,
amounting to a total of 1,283, 857 of which occurred in the first quarter.
In 1897, 671 deaths were registered in London as due to influenza.
The death-rate from respiratory diseases in Chelsea in 1898 (3.38
per 1,000) was low, owing to the comparative absence of influenza, and
the mildness of the winter and spring season.
Tubercular Diseases.—The death-rate from phthisis and other
tubercular diseases in Chelsea in 1898 was 2.38 per 1,000, as against
2.49 in London generally. The Kensal Town rate was 2.17 per 1,000,
that of the home district being 2.44 per 1,000. The average death-rate
from these diseases in Chelsea during the 14 years, 1884-97, was 2*89
per 1,000.
Cancer.—Malignant cancerous diseases caused 101 deaths amongst
Chelsea parishioners, of which number 10 belonged to Kensal Town.
The annual average of the 14 years, 1884-97, is 77 deaths. Chelsea's
proportion of the total London deaths from cancer in 1898 is 88.
Deaths in Public Institutions.—In 1898, 31.1 per cent. of the total
deaths of parishioners of Chelsea occurred in public institutions, tho
average for the seven years, 1891.7, being 31.2 per cent. of the home
district residents, 341 per cent. of the deaths occurred in public
institutions, and of Kensal Town residents 20.8 per cent. In 1898,
15-2 per cent, of the total deaths of parishioners occurred in the Chelsea
Workhouse and Infirmary, the average of the seven years, 1891-97,
being 14 7 per cent. Of the home district residents, 17.3 per cent. of
the deaths occurred in the Workhouse and Infirmary, and of Kensal
Town residents, only 8.0 per cent.