View report page

73
The mortality among aged persons was not so high
as last year. 43 persons died upwards of 60 years, or a
percentage of 25.7. In 1880 there were 55 deaths, and
a per-centage of 31.0. Thus the difference in the number
of deaths arose from diminished mortality amongst
the aged. At the intermediate ages the deaths of the
present year are rather more numerous than the last.
Social position.—The following is the relative proportion
of the classes in the mortality table.
Nobility and Gentry 3.5
Professional Classes &c. 18.0
Middle Class 31.0
Industrial Class 47.5
100.0
Inquests, &c.—Fourteen inquests were held during
the year 1881. The verdicts were as follows:—
I. Accident—Drowning, 5; Suffocation, 1; Fracture of Neck, 1.
II. Natural—Heart Disease, 2; Meningitis, 1.
III. Suicide—Drowning, 1.
IV. Found Drowned, 3.
It is lamentable to find that nine deaths were due
to drowning on our short stretch of the river. Several
of them would clearly have been prevented if a knowledge
of swimming were more common, and if greater
care were exercised in hiring out and managing boats.
Sanitary proceedings, &c.—The usual summary of
these proceedings will be found in Table VI. in the Appendix.
A special return has been asked in regard to the
disinfection of houses, bedding, &c., with special reference
to the use of the disinfecting oven in this sub-district.
Though not expected, and perhaps hardly so complete as
such a return will be for 1882, the present return has