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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

St Martin-in-the-Fields 1896

Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1896

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Table: TABLE X.Copied from the Registrar- General's Annual Summary of Births, Deaths, and Causes of Death in London for the year1896.DIMINUTION OR EXCESS OF DEATHS in1896,Compared with the Average Annual Deaths in1886-95.

TABLE X.

Copied from the Registrar- General's Annual Summary of Births, Deaths, and Causes of Death in London for the year1896.

DIMINUTION OR EXCESS OF DEATHS in1896,

Compared with the Average Annual Deaths in1886-95.

CAUSE OF DEATH.Diminution in 1896.Excess in 1896.
Small-pox39_
Measles-938
Scarlet Fever146-
Typhus6—
Influenza543—
Whooping-cough-256
Diphtheria—797
Simple Fever23—
Enteric Fever50—
Diarrhœal Diseases-107
Cancer—483
Phthisis and other Tubercular Diseases1,301—
Premature Birth—151
Diseases of Nervous System1,348-
Diseases of Circulatory System307—
Diseases of Respiratory System5,030—
Diseases of Urinary System37—
Childbirth and Puerperal Fever26—
Accident-108
Homicide5—
Suicide24—
All other Causes809—
9,6942,840
Balance of Diminution or Excess6,854—

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This Table shows in a summary form, the number of lives saved
and the number lost in the year 1896, as compared with the
preceding decennium, under each of the more important headings in
the list of causes.
The net gain in life saved during 1896 was represented by 6,854
lives. In other words, had the average death-rate in 1886-95 continued
throughout the year under present notice, 6,854 lives would
have been sacrificed in addition to those which have been actually
lost by death. In the year 1896 there was, as compared with the
decennial average, an excess of 938 deaths from measles, 797 from
diphtheria, 256 from whooping cough, 107 from diarrhœal disease,
483 from cancer, 151 from premature birth, and 108 from accident.
Under each of the other headings in the table the mortality in 1896
was below the average. This was notably the case in regard
to diseases of the respiratory system, the deaths referred to which
were 5,030 below the annual average.