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39
DIPHTHERIA.
The returns of the deaths from Diphtheria are very disheartening,
for they show not only a substantial increase on the returns for the
year 1892, but an increase of over 100 per cent. on those of 1891.
I find on looking up the Islington Bills of Mortality that the
deaths since 1860 have increased to an alarming extent.
During the decade 1861—1870 the registered deaths numbered
only 347, which represents an annual average of nearly 35.
In the succeeding decade, 1871—80, the returns showed only 327
deaths, or a yearly average of nearly 33.
In the next decade, 1881—90, the returns showed 625 deaths, or
an average of 62 per annum.
The death-rates in the several decades since 1861 were—
1861—70 0•18 per 1,000
1871—80 0•13 „
1881—90 0•20 „
During the last three years the rates were—
1891 0•29 per 1,000
1892 0•40 „
1893 0•57 „
The largest number of deaths registered in any one year previous
to 1893, was 138 in 1885, which followed another high return—114
deaths in 1884. From 1886 to 1890, inclusive, the greatest mortality
was 54 in 1886. In 1887 the number of deaths were as few as 27, but
since then they have steadily increased, being 35, 44, 47, 94, 130, until
now they are 189. It looks, too, as if the year recently entered on
was not going to show a decline, for there has been a continued
increase in deaths from this cause.
The unfavourable returns in Islington are not exceptional, for the