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7
SPECIFIC CAUSES OF DEATH.
Class I.
Specific Febrile or Zymotic Diseases.—The deaths from these
causes during the year numbered 604 in Hackney, and eight in
Stoke Newington. This is equal to a rate of 2.8 per 1000 for the
former parish. The London rate for the same period was 2.64 per
1000. The rate for Hackney shows a considerable improvement
upon that of 1893. In this class are included the following
infectious diseases:—
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.
Smallpox.—In Hackney 24 cases of this disease were notified,
and one in Stoke Newington. None of these proved fatal.
Compared with 1893, these figures show a decline of 37 notified
cases.
Scarlatina.—This disease was not so prevalent during 1894 as
during the previous year. The total number of cases occurring in
Hackney was 1,006; in Stoke Newington, 18 only. Of those
notified, 56 died in Hackney, and one in Stoke Newington; the
death-rate of the former being .26 per 1000 persons living in the
district. The London rate was .22 per 1000.
Diphtheria and Membranous Group.—There was also a great
decline in the number of notifications of this disease during the year,
522 cases occurring in Hackney, and 15 in Stoke Newington. The
deaths in Hackney numbered 124, and one in Stoke Newington;
the mortality rate for the former place was, therefore, .58 per 1000
living persons. The London rate was .61 per 1000.
As to the cause of so much diphtheria in London, and the
conditions favourable to its spread, the Medical Officer to the
London County Council has presented a preliminary statistical
report, in which strong evidence is put forth to show that the
aggregation of children in schools is a potent means in the spread of
this disease at school ages.