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The deaths from Tubercular Diseases in London, as a whole, were 9,608. Of these deaths,
6,977 were due to Phthisis. The death.rate from Phthisis in London, in 1906, per 1,000 persons
living, was 1"48 against 1.60, 1.67, and 1.42, in the preceding three years, and a decennial average
of 1.66. Phthisis mortality ranged from 0.67 per 1,000 persons living in Hampstead; 0.82 in
Lewisham, and 101 in Wandsworth, to 201 in Shoreditch and Bermondsey, 206 in Southwark,
2.18 in Finsbury, 2.25 in Bethnal Green, and 2.37 in Holborn.
The Registrar.General states that with the exception of the six boroughs last named the rates
in the metropolitan boroughs were below the average rates recorded in the preceding five years.
Alcoholism, Delirium Tremens, was the cause of 14 deaths; nine in the Kensington Town
sub.district and 5 in Brompton. The deaths in London, as a whole, were 522. 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 8 deaths, six of them in the Town
sub.district.
Malignant Disease, Cancer, was accountable for 171 deaths; 118 in the Town sub.district
and 53 in Brompton. Carcinoma was the registered cause in 85 cases, Sarcoma in 8, and Malignant
Disease, Cancer, in 78. 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 173, 168, 193, 169, 152, 185, 155, 187, 174, and 172 respectively. The deaths in
1906 were equal to 9.5 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 dc 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 146 of the
deaths took place at ages above forty.five, and 20 between thirty.five and forty.five.
In London, as a whftle, the deaths from Malignant Disease, Cancer, were 4,498
Premature Birth was the cause of 59 deaths; 49 in the Town sub.district and 10 in Brompton;
Old Age (Senile decay) of 101: 71 and 30, in the two sub.districts respectively; including
20 between 65 and 75 years, 42 betweeen 75 and 85, and 38 at 85 years and upwards.
LOCAL DISEASES.
Nervous System.—The deaths from the diseases of this system were 114; 98 in the Town
sub.district and 16 in Brompton—as compared with 123, 108, and 123, in the three preceding
years: 23 of them occurred under five years of age. Five of the deaths were due to Convulsions
, and 31 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 122.
Circulatory System. — The deaths from Diseases of the Heart were 220—162 in the Town
sub.district and 58 in Brompton—as compared with 196, 212, and 209, in the three preceding
years. The largest number of the deaths, 81, were registered from " Syncope, Heart Disease
(not specified).. Valvular Disease was accountable for 71 deaths, Angina Pectoris for 7, Dilatation
of Heart for 22, and Fatty Degeneration for 36.
Diseases of Blood Vessels were the causes of 138 deaths; 105 in the Town sub.district and
33 in Brompton, including 76 from Cerebral Hemorrhage, Embolism, Thrombosis; and 31
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 122.