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The deaths from Tubercular Diseases in London, as a whole, were 9,323. Of these deaths,
6,809 were due to Phthisis. The death-rate from Phthisis in London, in 1905, per 1,000 persons
living, was 1.45 against 1.64, 1.60, and 1.67, in the preceding three years, and a decennial average
of 1.69. Phthisis mortality ranged from 0.83 per 1000 persons living in Hampstead; 0.85 in
Lewisham, and 0.96 in Paddington; to 1.96 in Shoreditch, 2.02 in Finsbury, 2.04 in Bethnal
Green, 2.13 in Southwark, and 2.84 in Holborn.
Alcoholism, Delirium Tremens, was the cause of 10 deaths; six in the Kensington Town
sub-district, and 4 in Brompton. The deaths in London, as a whole, were 498. It is probable
that if all the deaths due, directly or indirectly, to the immoderate use of intoxicating liquors were
correctly certified, alcoholism would occupy a more prominent position in the bills of mortality;
many deaths due to the misuse of alcohol are certified, and necessarily classified, to visceral and
degenerative diseases caused or aggravated by drink.
Rheumatic Fever, Acute Rheumatism, was the cause of 5 deaths, four of them in the Town
sub-district.
Malignant Disease, Cancer, was accountable for 172 deaths; 123 in the Town sub-district
and 49 in Brompton. Carcinoma was the registered cause in 77 cases, Sarcoma in 6, and Malignant
Disease, Cancer, in 89. Cancer would appear to be on the increase in the country generally;
possibly, however, some portion of the apparent increase in the number of deaths classified to this
cause, may be due to greater accuracy in diagnosis. The deaths in Kensington in the ten preceding
years were 136, 173, 168,193, 169, 152, 185, 155, 187, and 174, respectively. The deaths in
1905 were equal to 9.6 per ten thousand of the population, and to 6.9 per cent. of all deaths
registered. Deaths from Malignant Disease are usually more numerous, proportionately to population,
in the Brompton sub-district than in the Town sub-district, cancer being quite as prevalent,
probably more prevalent, amongst well-to-do people, than in the poorer classes. The parts
of the body most commonly affected are the viscera or internal organs; in women, the uterus and
the breast; the disease, moreover, being for the most part one of later life. Thus 156 of the
deaths took place at ages above forty-five, and 13 between thirty-five and forty-five years.
In London, as a whole, the deaths from Malignant Disease, Cancer, were 4,675.
Premature Birth was the cause of 72 deaths; 58 in the Town sub-district and 14 in Brompton;
Old Age (Spenile decay) of 92; 73, and 19, in the two sub-districts respectively; including
9 between 65 and 75 years, 46 between 75 and 85, and 34 at 85 years and upwards.
LOCAL DISEASES.
Nervous System.—The deaths from the diseases of this system were 123; 98 in the Town
sub-district and 25 in Brompton—as compared with 146, 123, and 108, in the three preceding
years: 30 of them occurred under five years of age. Eighteen of the deaths were due to Convulsions
(an objectionable term), and 28 to diseases which, not being named specifically in the
"New List," are classified to "Other Diseases" of the System. The number of deaths from the
several other diseases are set out in Table VIII., page 112.
Circulatory System. — The deaths from Diseases of the Heart were 209; 153 in the Town
sub-district and 56 in Brompton—as compared with 251, 196, and 212, in the three preceding
years. The larger proportion of the deaths, 105, were registerd from "Syncope, Heart Disease
(not specfied)* Valvular Disease was accountable for 62 deaths, Angina Pectoris for 5, Dilatation
of Heart for 20, and Fatty Degeneration for 14.
Diseases of Blood Vessels were the causes of 125 deaths; 93 in the Town sub-district and
32 in Brompton, including 70 from Cerebral Hemorrhage, Embolism, Thrombosis; and 29
from Apoplexy, Hemiplegia, conditions which generally connote cerebral hemorrhage.
* A considerable number of deaths are certified as due to "Failure of the Heart," in persons dying in old age. These
deaths are classified to " Old Age" in Table viii., page 112.