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7
Influenza.—The Dumber of deaths referred to influenza, as a
primary or secondary cause of death, amounted to 61, as against 53 in
1899. Of the 61 deaths, 10 belonged to Kensal Town. Fifty-three
out of the total deaths occurred in the first quarter of the year. In
London generally influenza was widely spread from the commencement
of the year—the epidemic having commenced in December, 1899—
until the end of February. Out of the total of 1,949 deaths in the year,
no fewer than 1,470 occurred in the first quarter, 1,127 being registered
in the first 5 weeks of the quarter. In 1899, in London, there was no
widespread epidemic until the latter end of December, but a total of
1,818 deaths was recorded for the year.
Respiratory Diseases.—The death-rate from these diseases in
Chelsea was 3'90 per 1,000, which is considerably less than the rate of
1899—4-23 per 1,000. The year was favourable to a low rate of
mortality from these diseases, the winter and spring seasons being
unusually mild.
Tubercular Diseases.—The death-rate from phthisis and other
tubercular diseases in Chelsea in 1900 was 2.34 per 1,000, as against
2.12 in London generally. The Kensal Town rate was 213 per 1,000,
that of the home district being 2.40. The average death-rate from
these diseases in Chelsea during the 16 years, 1884-99, is 2.84 per
1,000.
Cancer.—Malignant cancerous diseases caused 101 deaths amongst
Chelsea parishioners, of which number 27 belonged to Kensal Town.
The annual average of the 16 years, 1884-99, is 80 deaths. The
cancer death-rates are shown in Table III.
Deaths in Public Institutions.—In 1900, 34.8 per cent, of the total
deaths of parishioners of Chelsea occurred in public institutions, the
average for the 9 years, 1891-9, being 31.0 per cent. Of the home
district residents, 37.4 per cent, of the deaths occurred in public
institutions, and of Kensal Town residents, 247 per cent. In London
generally, 30.5 per cent, of the total deaths occurred in public
institutions.
In 1900, 17.6 per cent, of the total deaths of parishioners occurred
in the Chelsea Workhouse and Infirmary, the average of the 9 years,
1891-9, being 15 per cent. Of the home district residents, 18.6 per
cent, of the deaths occurred in the Workhouse and Infirmary, and of
Kensal Town residents, 13-7 per cent.
Alcoholism.—Only 39 deaths (=2 3 per cent, of the total) were
registered as being due to alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver. It is
probable that this figure enormously understates the deaths which are
really attributable to some form of alcoholic excess; in the same way as
the 9 deaths attributed to venereal diseases grossly understate the real
mortality caused by syphilis and its sequelae.
Deaths in Lunatic Asylums.—Thirty-three deaths of Chelsea
parishioners occurred in lunatic asylums. The average for the 10 years,
1891-1900, is 30 deaths annually, that is to say, only 16 per cent, of
the total deaths take place in lunatic asylums.