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66
[Appendix IV.
St. John there was a decline equal to 22 per cent. The percentage variations in the numbers of
deaths recorded are indicated below:—

Note.—"+" indicates increase
" — " indicates decrease
per cent, in the number of deaths recorded in 1900, compared with the
averages.
Although a few deaths are recorded each year from "cancer" in the young, yet the disease
must be regarded as one of adult life. The deaths registered in the Parish since 1875 have been
tabulated in the customary age-groups as well as the total numbers of deaths in each of the SubDistricts.
Since 1891 the deaths have been tabulated for sex and age in each Sub-District, but it
does not appear desirable to enter upon a full consideration of the prevalence in the Sub-Districts
until the census (1901) returns are available.
Of 2,278 deaths recorded in the 26 years 1875-1900, 25 (equal to 1.09 per cent, of the
total) occurred at ages under 25 years,* and 67 at ages between 25 and 35 years.† It
is evident therefore that rates based on the total population give but an imperfect idea of the
mortality from cancer. In addition to age, sex should be considered, but the necessary data are
not available.
In Paddington, of the 101,235 persons estimated to live in the Parish in 1875, 52,404 were
persons at "cancer ages," while in 1900 the estimated population at all ages (130,596) included
68,517 persons at "cancer ages." In other words, each 1,000 persons living in 1875 included 518
persons at "cancer ages," a proportion which had increased to 525 in 1900. There would, therefore,
be a prima facie reason for expecting some slight increase in the number of deaths from "cancer"
at all ages. The proportions of males and females at all ages and "cancer ages" in the Parish
and the two Sub-Districts are given in Table 33:—

* The maximum number of deaths at ages 0—25 years in any quinquennium was 8, recorded during the years
1895-99.
+ For the purposes of this report the ages from 25 years onwards are deemed to be "cancer ages."