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6
Whooping Cough, and Diarrhoea) was 3.5, which is the highest
it has been since 1885 with one exception, in 1893. The rate
was 2.6 in West Plumstead and 3.9 in East Plumstead.
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Measles, and Diarrhoea were
more fatal in East Plumstead.
9. There were 42 uncertified deaths, giving a rate of 4.1
per cent, of total deaths. In the three previous years the rates
were 3.0, 2.9 and 1.3 respectively. The rate in Plumstead
has been high for several years, but last year it was so high as
to call for special comment.
Uncertified deaths are those where there has been no
registered medical practitioner in attendance, or if there has
been one, he has for some reason refused to certify the cause
of death, and the coroner has not considered it necessary to
hold an inquest. Of the 42 deaths, 15 were under 5 years and
27 over. Most of those under 5 were infants a few months
old, whose deaths were attributed by the registrar to such indefinite
causes as convulsions and debility, several were found
'dead in bed.'
Speaking generally, it may be said that healthy children do
not die suddenly of convulsions, that children, who are taken
care of, do not die of debility, and that when children are found
'dead in bed,' without having been ill enough to require medical
attendance, there is usually, at least, gross neglect on the part
of the parent or guardian. In many places, every death not
certified by a medical practitioner forms the subject of an
inquest. Not a single one of the 33 large towns had so many
unregistered deaths as 4 per cent, of total deaths. The rate in
London was 0 6, and in the 33 towns 1.2.
10. Inquests.—There were 38 inquests held on persons