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OTHER DISEASES. 49
CANCER.
The deaths included under this loose but convenient heading attained a maximum of 185 in
1908, fell to 156 in 1909, and since that year have increased to 165 in 1911 and 175 in 1912.
The mortality last year was 1.23 per 1,000, as compared with 1.17 in 1911 and an average of
119 during 1907.11, within which period fell the years with the two highest mortalities on
record, viz., l.27 in 1908 and 1.24 in 1907. During the five years 1891.95 the mortality averaged
0.86 per 1,000, and during the last five years (1908.12), 1 18-an increase of nearly 37 per cent.
The rates (Table 13) recorded in Kensington (133) and Westminster (1.38) exceeded that of
the Borough, while all the rates of the individual Metropolitan districts in that Table exceeded that
of the County (1.ll). In Marylebone only was last year's rate (118) less than the average (1.27),
the Metropolitan rate (1.ll) being, however, very little more than the average (1.10).
The Ward rates recorded last year ranged from 012 in Lancaster Gate, East, to 1.56 in
Harrow Road. In about half the Wards last year's rate exceeded the average.

Table 31 (next page) gives full information as to sex and age, and the parts affected.
OTHER DISEASES.
Epidemic Influenza.-The mortality (Table 31, page 51) from this cause (0.16 per 1,000)
was less than half the average for the preceding five years (0.34). The highest mortality
last year (0.22) was recorded in Harrow Road and Lancaster Gate, West, Wards.
Respiratory Diseases.-The mortality under this heading is based on the number of deaths
from bronchitis and pneumonia (all forms). Last year's mortality (2.28) was practically equal
to the average (2.26), but 0 40 above that recorded in 1911. The highest mortality recorded
last year (3.54) was observed in Church Ward, where the mortality is always in excess.
Alcoholism.- This includes both acute alcoholism (delirium tremens) and chronic forms, but
not cirrhosis of the liver or alcoholic neuritis. Owing to changes in classification, the mortality
rates recorded in 1911 and 1912 are not strictly comparable with the rates obtained in earlier
years.
Cirrhosis of the Liver.-The mortality from this cause (013) was slightly in excess of the
average (0.11). The highest mortality last year (0.25) was recorded in Queen's Park and
Lancaster Gate, East, Wards.
Cirrhosis of the liver may be due to causes other than alcoholism. Of the 19 deaths entered
under this heading, 16 (8 of each sex) were definitely ascribed to excessive drinking. The total
number of deaths from alcoholism recorded during the year was 28, comprising 9 (3 males,
6 females), 1 from "alcoholism," 3 (1 male, 2 females) from "alcoholic neuritis," and 16 (8 of
each sex) from "alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver." In 1911 the total number of deaths was 2512
from "alcoholism" and 13 from "alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver." The numbers given
cannot, however, be accepted as the full tale of deaths due to drink.
Suicides.-The mortality ascribed to this cause was 0.09 per 1,000, as compared with 0 08 in
1911 and an average of 010 during 1907.11. The rates given in Table 31 indicate that the
number of deaths from suicide in the individual Wards fluctuate widely and irregularly.
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