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15
With the information thus conveyed it will he
necessary only, therefore, to refer to such of the classes
as present any unusual deviation from their average
amount. Diseases of the respiratory organs (class 5)
were the most numerous of all the causes of death, thus
supplanting the zymotic diseases (class 1) from their
accustomed position. They formed 19 per cent. of the
total mortality, and their number, although somewhat
less than the average, was greater by 38 than in the
year preceding, the cause of which increase is doubtless
associated with the ulterior consequences of the epidemics
of Measles and Whooping-cough which prevailed. The
Tubercular Class (class 2), which includes Scrofula and
Consumption, formed 15 per cent. of all deaths, and was
but slightly higher than the average. Diseases of the
Brain and Nerves (class 3) formed upwards of 14 per
cent., but the excessive and variable mortality of the
Surrey County Lunatic Asylum which is derived from
Avithout the district invalidates any calculation of the
relative position held by this class in the causation of
mortality. Diseases of the Heart, &c. (class 4) exceeded
the average by 5.8 per cent., the cause of which excess
is not apparent. Premature Birth, Low Vitality, &c.
(class 11) was higher than the average to the extent of
2.4 per cent.
The remaining classes do not present any variation
of sufficient extent to require notice, the most noteworthy
and satisfactory record in the table being that
of the great diminution of epidemic diseases.
Age at Death—Infant Mortality.— As might be
anticipated from the diminution of epidemic diseases the
mortality of infants was correspondingly less. Upwards
of 28.6 per cent. of all deaths occurred to infants during
their first year of life; 45.7 per cent. to children under