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system were the registered cause of 70 deaths, including 23 from
Apoplexy, 25 from Paralysis, 15 from Convulsions, and 5 from Inflammation
of the Brain. Only one death was registered from insanity,
and one from Epilepsy. Diseases of the Heart caused 77 deaths, a
somewhat larger number than for the preceding year; diseases of the
digestive organs 57 deaths, including 22 from enteritis, 8 from peritonitis,
4 from obstruction, and 23 from diseases of the liver, which
includes the term cirrhosis applied to the diseases of the liver induced
by habits of alcoholic excess. 26 deaths were referred to diseases of the
urinary system, of which 10 were due to nephritis, 10 to "Bright's
disease," and 4 to diseases of the bladder.
Constitutional diseases.—This important class includes the causes of
184 deaths, the most fatal cause being cancer, which carried off 62
people; consumption was nearly as fatal and caused 54 deaths, tubercular
meningitis 21, tabes mesenterica 8, scrofula and anaemia 8, diabetes
6, rheumatism and gout 6, and other causes 19.
Developmental Diseases include the deaths of 26 infants from premature
birth, 19 from debility, 3 from atelactasis, and 2 from congenital
malformation. The deaths attributed to old age were 49, but the
deaths of old people are frequently referred to other causes such as
bronchitis, apoplexy, &c.
Inquests.—The number of inquests held was 63, the deaths in 33
cases being caused by violence. There were 9 deaths from fractures
and contusions caused by falls, by being run over in the street; 5
infants perished by infanticide, and 4 by asphyxia in bed with mothers;
one case of murder by incised wound in the throat. There were 4 cases
of suicide, one of which was caused by strangulation, one by poisoning
with cyanide of potassium, one by drowning in a bath, and one by
revolver wound in skull. Among other cases a male aged 9 died under
the influence of chloroform, a female aged 22 in an epileptic fit in a
bath, and a child, aged 11, by poisoning by belladonna given in mistake.
Mortuary.—The total number of bodies received during the year
was 72, of which 49 were admitted by order of the coroner; 45 postmortem
examinations were made; 15 bodies were brought in by the