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1897] 34
When the quarter's return was compared with the mean number
of deaths, after correction for increase of population, which obtained
during the second quarters of the twelve years 1885-96, it was found
to be 347 less.
1885-96—2nd quarter 1,428 deaths = 16.73 per 1,000 inhabitants.
1897 „ „ 1,081 „ = 12.67 „ „
347 „ = 4.06 „ „
Only 62 deaths were registered from the zymotic diseases, resulting
in the marvellously low death-rate of 0.72 per 1,000. This result was
due to a diminished mortality from each of the principal infectious
diseases. The decrease compared with the corrected average number
of deaths for twelve years was 167. One can hardly hope that such a
record as this will soon recur.
Third Quarter.—The mortality was very satisfactory despite the
fact that the season was very favourable for diarrhœa. The registered
deaths numbered 1,335, which were equal to a death-rate of 15.64.
The former were 49 below the corrected average of the twelve years
1885-96, and the latter 0.56 below the mean rate for the same
period.
Notwithstanding the fact that the season was favourable for
diarrhoea there was a decrease of 45 deaths from the zymotic diseases
upon the corrected average of the preceding twelve third quarters,
and a decrease of 0.77 per 1,000 in the zymotic death-rate. The number
of deaths was 252, and the rate 2.95.
The following table gives the deaths and death-rates from Diarrhœa
in each of the districts, as well as the chief meteorological conditions
which prevailed during the period:—