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12
As is seen in the table, rather more than 33 per cent of all deaths
arose from diseases of the brain and nervous system ; but 7 per cent
only are attributable to this parish, the remainder being due to the
County Lunatic Asylum. The next class of diseases i. order of fatality
was the tubercular (embracing consumption, scrofula, and hydrocephalus),
which caused upwards of 18 pr. cent. of all deaths. The zymotic class,which
usually takes precedence of the foregoing, shews a very great diminution
in fatality, forming 8.4 per cent.; and particularly if compared with
that of last year, when it formed upwards of 19 per cent of all deaths.
Diseases of the respiratory organs caused 16 per cent., which is nearly
one-fourth above the average, and is attributable to the unusual amount
of wet and cold weather which prevailed. Of individual diseases, consumption
was the most fatal, causing nearly one-sixth of all deaths,
which is greatly in excess of the average, and doubtless due to the foregoing
causes. 9 deaths resulted from violence, 7 of which were from
accidental causes, and 2 from suicide.
Inquests were held in 18 instances. In 11 cases the cause of death
was not certified by medical testimony. As, in any of these, death may
have resulted from other than natural causes, it is seen to what extent
the possibility of secret crime remaining undetected still exists. The
remedy is equally obvious, and, as mentioned in my last report, consists
in the employment of medical enquiry in all cases of uncertified deaths.
Aye at Death.
32 per cent. of all deaths occurred under the age of 20; nearly 27
per cent. did not exceed the age of 5 years; and 17 per cent. did not
attain the age of 1 year. This death-rate of children under 5 years of
age, compared with that of the metropolis, is relatively very low, and it
is lower than the average of former years ; it is higher, however, than
the mortality from epidemic diseases, by which it is mainly influenced,
and which was unusually low last year, would presuppose.
Deaths in Relation to Social Position.
Upwards of 82 per cent. of all deaths occurred amongst the labouring
classes, and of deaths from zymotic diseases 80 per cent. Of the 83
deaths which occurred to children under 5 years of age, 70 took place
amongst the children of the labouring classes.