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19
The deaths from the 7 principal zymotic diseases in proportion
to population, was lower than of late years, viz:—2-74
per 1,000 population, against 2.75 in 1885 ; 3.99 in 1884; 2.63
in 1883; and 3.39 in 1882. The mortality from inflammatory
affections of the lungs, was not so high as usual, having been
318 per 1,000, against 3.59 in 1885; 2.93 in 1884; 3.31 in
1883; and 3.96 in 1882. As regards tubercular diseases, the
mortality varied but little, having been 2.39 per 1,000 population
against 2.39 in 1885 ; 2.05 in 1884 ; 2.63 in 1883; and 2.59 in
1882, the mortality in 1886 having been below the average.
The deaths from "wasting diseases of infants" which include
tabes mesenterica, atrophy and debility, want of breast milk and
premature birth, were larger than usual, 311 having been registered
from these causes against 256 in 1885, and showed a greater
proportion to population than in any of the years 1882-5.
Convulsive diseases of infants produced rather less than the
ordinary rate of mortality, which, as this group of diseases
depends, to a certain extent, on want of proper nourishment,
and good sanitary arrangements, is a satisfactory return. The
proportion of deaths per 1,000 deaths from all causes from
each of these groups of diseases is as follows :—175 from
zymotic diseases ; 160 from pulmonary diseases, excluding
consumption, as that is a tubercular affection ; 139 from
tubercular diseases ; 84 from wasting and 144 from convulsive
diseases of infants.