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46
The two extremes of life, youth and old age, demand
a few passing remarks.
One of the most melancholy features of the above
Table is the death of so many young children under 10
years of age who succumbed to the various diseases and
accidental circumstances that make their lives so uncertain.
In all they number 267, a very large mortality, out of the
total 561 deaths at all ages.
At the opposite extreme I find the large number of
159 died at the advanced ages of 60 to 80 and upwards;
the oldest died at the ripe old age of 91 years.
Amongst the parochial poor there were 807 new cases
of illness For many years past they ranged between 800
and 900. The deaths were 43. A great deal of Fever
and other epidemics was prevalent, yet amongst this
class the mortality was very light. Of the other diseases,
the mortality was high, particularly from diseases
of lungs, owing to the long, cold, and wet winter we
passed through. (See Table V. in the Appendix.)
During the year 18 inquests were held; the causes of
death, as far as could be ascertained, were—
Nine accidental injuries sustained in various ways.
Five suicides whilst probably in a state of unsound
mind.
Three from natural causes, supposed to be heart
disease, and some other undefined causes.
One from neglect, an infant, unknown.
In the past year (and also in the preceding), there
were 9 deaths of persons who had not medical attendance,
and the causes of whose deaths were not certified in the
usual way, thus stultifying the "Registration of Deaths'
Act," and facilitating the commission of crime.