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9
Table No. 12. In this Table is condensed a comparative
statement of the number of Births that have been registered
in the several divisions of the District during the past four
years.
In laying these Tables before you I have unfortunately
to announce a gradually increased Death-rate, the past year
especially numbering 81 deaths over the preceding year.
In their general import they agree very nearly with those
of the previous two years as far as relates to the ages at which
the deaths took place, (infantile mortality being still somewhat
excessive over former years,) and also as relates to the
causes of those deaths, with the exception of Epidemic
Diseases, which for the past year will show a very considerably
increased mortality. In a former Report I remarked
that in this District we had to refer chiefly to Epidemic and
Chest Affections for the real sanitary condition of the District,
as it was to those diseases that the predominating mortality
of particular Districts and seasons was to be attributed. It is
therefore with regret that I have to point to the heavy
mortality arising from those causes. I have on former occasions,
and more particularly in my last Annual Report, examined
and dwelt minutely on such facts as are set forth in
these Tables. I have already stated to you that the causes
of this still heavy mortality, and more particularly the
mortality arising from Epidemic influences, are susceptible
in the highest degree of being mitigated or almost entirely
removed under an efficient sanitary system; and were I to
make further detailed comments on the Mortality Tables of
the past year, as now handed down to you, I should be doing
little else than making a repetition of arguments and facts
already submitted to your consideration.
I have therefore most respectfully to request that you will
give the annexed materials your particular notice, and in
your future deliberations and decisions at the Board give me
that assistance in working out the various propositions which