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200
Diseases of the respiratory organs, as usual, cause the largest
number of deaths, and the total number, viz., 184, is 40 more than
in 1892, and 24 more than the decennial average. It is, however,
17 less than oocurred in 1891.
The constitutional group of diseases, which includes gout, rheumatism,
cancer, phthisis, and other tubercular diseases caused 115
deaths, 49 of these being due to phthisis, as compared with 58 last
year, and 26 from cancer, as compared with 29 last year.
The total deaths from diseases of the tubercular class were 79 as
compared with 87 last year. This is 40 below the decennial
average, and shows that the improvement in the sanitary condition
of the district has a decided effect in lowering the number of deaths
from this very fatal class of diseases. The general publio also
are beginning to realise that phthisis 13 an infectious disease, and
precautions of some kind are, now frequently taken by friends of
patients suffering from it to prevent its spread.
As a preventive measure, the disinfection of the bedding and
clothing used by the patient, as also of the bedroom which the
patient occupied ought to be carried out.
The death-rate from phthisis in the sub-district, including the
deaths in outlying institutions was 1.47 per 1,000, a death-rate
which compares favourably with that of England in the quinquennial
periods 1881—1885 and 1886—1890, which were respectively
1.83 and 1.64 per 1,000.
Diseases of the nervous system caused 110 deaths, 45 below the
decennial average. 33 of these occurred in the Middlesex Lunatic
Asylum.
Diseases of the circulatory system caused 57 deaths, exactly the
same as in the previous year, and 9 above the decennial average.
Diseases of the digestive system caused 62 deaths, 28 more