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14
DEATH-RATE IN ENGLAND AND WALES, AND IN LONDON, AND IN OTHER
LARGE TOWNS, ETC.
The death-rate in England and Wales in 1902 was 16.3 per 1,000, the lowest rate on record,
and 1.6 below the average rate in the ten years, 1892-1901. The rate in London, as already stated,
was 17.7 per 1,000, being 1.5 below the decennial average.

Greater London.— The death-rate in "Greater London," which is co-extensive with the
Metropolitan and City Police districts, the population at the middle of the year 1902, numbering
6,705,770 (viz., 4,579,110 in Inner or Registration London, and 2,126,660 in the Outer Ring), was
16.4 per 1,000, as compared with 18.5, 17.7, and 16.3, in the three preceding years respectively.
The deaths properly belonging to the Outer Ring, as distinguished from Inner or Registration
London, were equivalent to a rate of only 13.4, the rate in the Inner Ring having been 17.7. The
death-rate from the principal diseases of the zymotic class in Inner London, was 2.23 per 1,000;
in the Outer Ring 1.83, the rate in Greater London, as a whole, being 2.11 per 1,000 The
infantile mortality of Greater London was 135 per 1,000 births; of Inner London 141; of Outer
London 123.
Other Large Towns.—The death-rate in the seventy-six large towns, including London,
and having a population of 14,862,878 was 17.4 per 1,000; ranging from 8.6 at Hornsey, 10.9
at Handsworth, and 11.5 at Walthamstow, to 20.6 at Wigan, 22.5 at Liverpool, and 23.1 at Merthyr
Tydfil. The death-rates of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin were 17.8, 20.1, and 24.2 per 1,000
respectively. These death-rates are calculated without correction for differences between one
town and another, with regard to the age and sex-distribution of their respective populations. This
explanation is necessary because, as the Registrar-General has pointed out, "In consequence of the
great difference between one town and another, with respect to age and sex-constitution of their several
populations, recorded death-rates require correction before they can be justly used for purposes of
comparison." The Registrar-General, as already stated, gives in his annual summary factors by the
use of which the necessary corrections can be made with approximate accuracy for each town.
Colonial and Foreign Cities.—The death-rate of some of the principal Indian and
foreign cities was as follows— Indian cities: Calcutta, 37.2 per 1,000; Madras, 42.1; and
Bombay, 62.2. European cities: Paris, 18.4 per 1,000; St. Petersburg, 23.0; Moscow, 26.5;
and Vienna, 19.4. American cities: New York, 18.7 per 1,000; Boston, 18.7; Philadelphia, 17.7;
and New Orleans, 21.5.
ASSIGNED CAUSES OF DEATH.
In the annual report for 1873 (page 10) the following passage occurs:—
"New Forms for Recording Vital and Mortal Statistics.— The tables in the Appendix,
numbered I. to VI., inclusive, have been drawn up by the Society of Medical Officers of Health
for general use throughout the country, and with a view to facilitate comparison between
different districts, and with standard areas. The want of uniformity in statistical returns of
the medical reports had long been felt; I was induced, therefore, to bring the subject before
the Society, which, after a most careful consideration, and having obtained the views of a great
many officers of health, settled these forms, which it is hoped will supply all the information
that is absolutely requisite without imposing an undue amount of work on those who may
use them. Should the tables come into general use they cannot fail to invest the vital
statistics in the reports of medical officers with a much greater and more universal interest
than heretofore."
Tables similar to those referred to as being numbered I. to VI., had previously been employed
in these annual reports, and the Tables I. to VI. were used from 1873, onwards, to 1899,
inclusive, in the tabulation of vital, mortal, and sanitary statistics. These tables, between 1894 and
1899, were suplemented by others ("A" and "B"), directed by the Local Government Board to be
used, so as to secure a "tabular statement of mortality, and a tabular statement of infectious
disease in all districts on a uniform plan." Tables A and B have now been superseded by Tables,
numbered I. to IV., directed by the Board to be used. The other tables used in preceding annual
reports, now numbered from VI. to XII., will be found in Appendix I., pp. 130—142.