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The Deaths from Tubercular Diseases in London, as a whole, were 8,948; 6,419 of them
were due to Phthisis, the death-rate from this disease being 1-34 per 1,000 persons living, against
1.42, 1.44, and 1-40 in the preceding three years.
Alcoholism, Delirium Tremens, was the cause of 5 deaths; two in the Town sub-district,
and 3 in Brompton. The deaths in London, as a whole, were 403.
Rheumatic Fever, Acute Rheumatism, was the cause of 6 deaths, four of them in the Town
sub-district.
Malignant Disease Cancer, was accountable for 186 deaths; 132 in the Town sub-district
and 54 in Brompton. Carcinoma was the registered cause in 87 cases, Sarcoma in 10, 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 may be
due to greater accuracy in diagnosis. The deaths in Kensington in the preceding
ten years were 193, 169, 152, 185, 155, 187, 174, 172, 171, and 201 respectively. The deaths in
1908 were equal to 10-3 per ten thousand of the population, and to 7-8 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 so, 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 164 of the deaths
took place at ages above forty-five, and 16 between thirty-five and forty-five years
In London, as a whole, the deaths from Malignant Disease, Cancer, were 3,101.
Premature Birth was the cause of 74 deaths; 60 in the Town sub-district and 14 in Brompton
; Old Age (Senile decay) of 95; 72 and 23 in the two sub-districts respectively; including
12 between 65 and 75 years, 39 between 75 and 85, and 43 at 85 years and upwards.
LOCAL DISEASES.
Nervous System.—The deaths from the diseases of this system were 116; 101 in the Town
sub-district and 15 in Brompton—as compared with 123, 114, and 136 in the preceding three
years; 34 of them occurred under five years of age. Eleven of the deaths were due to Convulsions,
and 32 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 the Table at page
Circulatory System.—The deaths from Diseases of the Heart were 269—219 in the Town
sub-district and 50 in Brompton—as compared with 209, 220, and 233, in the three preceding
years. The larger proportion of deaths, 136, were registered from "Syncope, Heart Disease"
(not specified.')* Valvular Disease was accountable for 63 deaths, Angina Pectoris for 9, Dilatation
of Heart for 15, and Fatty Degeneration for 41.
Diseases of Blood Vessels were the causes of 154 deaths; 116 in the Town sub-district and
38 in Brompton, including 90 from Cerebral Hannorrhage, Embolism, Thrombosis; and 25
from Apoplexy, Hemiplegia, conditions which generally connote cerebral hcemoryhage.
Respiratory System.—The diseases of the respiratory organs (phthisis being excluded), were
accountable for 458 deaths (62 fewer than in 1907, and 191 per cent, on total deaths); 379 in
the Town sub-district and 79 in Brompton—as compared with 537, 458, and 520 in the preceding
three years. The principal causes were Bronchitis 210 deaths, and Pneumonia, in one or other
of its forms, 198 deaths. The deaths under five years of age were 131, or 28-6 per cent, of the total
number, as compared with percentages of 34.3, 30.8, and 37-7 in the preceding three years; and at
55 and upwards 253, or 55.1 per cent., against 46.9, 50-7, and 45 0 in the preceding three years.
Bronchitis and Pneumonia were accountable for 408 deaths (including 125 under five years of age),
of which 69 were registered in the Brompton sub-district.
Digestive System.—The diseases of the Digestive System were accountable for 148 deaths;
112 and 36 in the Town and Brompton sub-districts respectively; 32 of them under five years of
age. The chief causes were Cirrhosis of the Liver 27 deaths, Other Diseases of the Liver and
Gall Bladder 16 deaths, Intestinal Obstruction 12, Enteritis 17, Gastric TJlcer 9, and Appendicitis
15.
* A considerable number of deaths are certified ai due to " Failure of the Heart," in persons dying in old age. These
deaths are classified to " Old Age" in the Table at page 57.