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divided into that under the first year of life and from one to five
years of age. There is a great convenience in this division, because
some causes, which are operative with great intensity on infants
under one year of age, are less operative on those at higher ages,
and other causes are more operative at ages above one year.
The chief causes of death under five years of age are grouped
as follows:—
1. Premature birth and congenital defects.
2. Atrophy, debility and marasmus.
3. Convulsions.
4. Diarrhoeal diseases.
5. Measles and whooping cough.
6. Bronchitis and pneumonia.
The majority of the deaths under these first three headings
are probably due to ante-natal conditions ; but a large portion
also to want of care at, and after birth. Many of these deaths
occur during the first week of life.
Diarrhoeal diseases in childhood are mostly confined to the
first year of life, and are especially diseases of environment, and as
such, largely preventable.
Measles causes most deaths between the age of one and five
years. Whooping cough most under one year. These deaths are
largely preventable, being mostly due to want of proper care and
treatment, during the course of the disease.
Bronchitis and pneumonia are most fatal at the two extremes
of life. At the beginning of life, bronchitis is very fatal under one
year, but causes a considerable number of deaths between one and
five years. Pneumonia is extremely fatal, both under one year and
between one and five years. These diseases in young children arise
mostly during the course of some febrile affection, and are largely
preventable.