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7
The age distribution, and particulars as to the causation of the deaths in the
parish, and its four sub-districts are contained in tables XXII. and XXIII., and in
table A, which is a form of classification of diseases, ages, and localities required by
the Local Government Board to be appended to the annual reports of medical
officers of health. (See Appendix.)
Of the 786 deaths under one year, 239 were due to zymotic diseases, the greater
number resulting from diarrhoea, which accounted for 110, whooping cough, varicus
forms of tuberculosis and measles ; 266 were due to diseases classed as local, of which
bronchitis and pneumonia caused 146, and convulsions 60 deaths; debility at birth
and congenital malformations accounted for 130; and causes not specified or illdefined
for 111. Of 38 deaths under one year due to violence, 29 were caused by
suffocation in bed through accident or negligence. The frequent occurrence of deaths
from this cause has oftentimes been commented upon by coroners at inquests.
The deaths of children under one year formed 29.5 per cent. of the total deaths
as compared with 30.3 per cent. in 1895; 28.1 per cent. in 1894; 25.7 per cent. in
1893; 25.6 in 1892, and 26.36 in 1891.
The mortality amongst infants under one year of age was at the rate of 183.3
per 1000 births as compared with a rate of 203.7 per cent. for last year. The infant
mortality in the Metropolis during 1896, was 161 per 1000 births. The average
yearly mortality amongst infants for the 10 years ending 1895 in Shoreditch, is 176.8
per 1000 births as compared with a Metropolitan mortality of 154.1 for the same period.
Of children, aged from one to five years, 502 deaths were registered, as compared
with 527 last year. Of these 306 were due to zymotic diseases, including 107 from
measles, 62 from whooping cough, 32 from various forms of tuberculosis, and 29 from
diarrhoea, 46 from scarlet fever and 26 from diphtheria. Bronchitis caused 51 deaths,
and pneumonia 72, ana 8 were due to violence, including 4 from scalds and burns.
The deaths under five years numbered 1288 or 49.1 per cent. of the total deaths
in the parish. In 1895 the number was 1394, or 48.7 per cent.; in 1894 it was 1109
or 49.9 per cent.; in 1893 it was 1400, or 44.5 per cent., and in 1892 it was 1264, or
44.6 per cent. of the total deaths.
In the 5—15 age period 102 persons died; 53 deaths being due to zymotic
diseases, including 25 from diphtheria, 8 from scarlet fever, 9 from various forms of
tuberculosis, and 4 from typhoid fever. Heart disease caused 7 deaths, diseases of the
respiratory organs 10, and various forms of violence 9.
Of persons aged from 15 to 25 there were 102 deaths. Zymotic diseases caused
50, including 36 from phthisis (consumption), and 9 from typhoid fever. Scarlet