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occurred in 1886, and only two below the decennial
average. They were equal to a rate of nearly 3.8
per 1,000 persons living.
As in the previous year, there were no deaths
from Small-pox or Typhus. Measles was generally
prevalent, especially in the early part of the year,
and caused 89 deaths. Whooping Cough was
very fatal during the second and third quarters,
and was the cause of 87 deaths. Diarrhoea caused
101 deaths, of which 89 took place in the third
quarter, during a short season of hot weather.
Scarlet Fever was almost absent in the spring,
but excited much alarm in the autumn from
the general public having been led to form an
exaggerated idea of its prevalence. Our deaths
from this cause were 45, being an advance of 29
on the previous year, but still 11 below the
average.
Diseases of the Inspiratory System were rather
more fatal, and those of the Tubercular class less so.
The birth rate, which had shown a small increase
in the previous year, declined to 35.3. There
were fewer births in each of the three registration
districts.
The natural increase of the population, or the
excess of births over deaths, was 1,469, or 1.6 per
cent., but the estimated increase is only 0.7 per
cent, or 622 persons yearly. The number of
inhabitants, calculated to the middle of the year,
is computed to be 90,540. The sexes are nearly in
equal proportions, the males being in a small
majority in the Leather Market and St. Mary