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91
It is satisfactory to note that, with the exception
of "Diarrhœa" and "Other Zymotic Diseases,"
there was during last year a general reduction in
the deaths from zymotic diseases. Five of the 6
deaths from "Other Zymotic Diseases" last year
were due to epidemic influenza. There was also a
considerable reduction in the number of deaths
from "Tubercular Diseases." Very little importance
can be attached to the reductions in deaths
from "Convulsions" and "Atrophy and Debility,"
inasmuch as the major part of such reductions is
due to greater care in the diagnosis of disease
and most probably neutralised by the increases
manifested under diarrhoea and pulmonary diseases.
There was a very large increase in the deaths
from the developmental diseases, "Premature
Birth" and "Congenital Malformations." The
death-rate from these causes in 1895 was 31.2 per
1,000 births, as compared with an average rate of
20.5. Last year these deaths constituted 18.9 per
cent. of all deaths under 1 year, the average
proportion being 14.4. It is impossible to account
for so great an increase. It may be accidental or it
may be due to some change in the conditions of life.
The increase in the number of deaths from
Bronchitis and Pneumonia, amounting to (approximately)
14 per cent., was almost certainly due to
the severe winter, and may, therefore, be regarded
as accidental.