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13
The most noticeable thing in this Table, especially by
the Sanitarian, is the great numerical preponderance
of diseases of the Zymotic class (Epidemic, Endemic, Contagious),
which are seen to exceed all others in the causation
of mortality, forming upwards of 22 per cent. of all
deaths, and fully accounting for the excess of last year's
death rate. Diseases of the Tubercular class, of the Brain
and Nervous System, and of the Organs of Respiration,
were of almost equal position, each causing about 16 per
cent. Diseases of the Digestive Organs formed 5 per cent.
Inflammation of the Lungs 8 per cent. The most fatal of
any single disease, was, as usual, Phthisis, which caused
upwards of 11 per cent. of all deaths.
Age at death.—Upwards of 24 per cent. of all deaths
took place under 1 year, and 39 per cent. under 5 years
of age. This infant mortality is very considerably in
excess of the average, resulting, as might be anticipated,
from a greater prevalence of diseases which principally
afflict children. These were Measles and Scarlet Fever,
but especially the former, which prevailed epidemically,
and to which the high per centage of mortality from inflammation
of the lungs, is in a measure attributable, as
one of its results. 45 per cent. of all deaths occurred under
20 years of age.
Social position.—79 per cent. of the deaths from all
causes, and 82 per cent. of the deaths from epidemic
diseases, took place amongst the labouring classes.
Inquests.—29 inquests were held during the year; 9
deaths resulted from accidental violence, 4 of which were
from drowning and 1 from burning. In 12 instances the
cause of death was not certified by medical testimony.
These were so many instances, therefore, in which death
may have resulted from other than natural causes, for
which reason, as I have pointed out, in many previous
reports, a medical investigation is imperatively needed in
all cases of uncertified death.
Prevalence and Fatality of Epidemic Diseases.—The
deaths which have resulted from the principal Epidemic