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On examination of the foregoing table it is seen that
Class 3 (diseases of the Brain and Nervous System) contributed
as usual the largest number of deaths of any
class; but, as it fails to represent the amount of such
diseases proper to this sub-district, in consequence of its
undue exaltation by the mortality of the County Lunatic
Asylum, which alone formed more than 15 per cent, of
all deaths registered, it cannot be taken into consideration
in estimating the relative proportion borne by the several
classes of disease. Excluding this class, therefore, the
most fatal was Class 5 (diseases of the Organs of Respiration),
one-third nearly of which was contributed by
Bronchitis, the most fatal of all diseases during the year.
This class formed 17 per cent, of all deaths, and took
the place usually held by Class 1 (the Zymotic, including
Epidemic or Contagious diseases), which formed 15 per
cent. only. Next in order of fatality was Class No. 2
(the tubercular, which includes Scrofula and Consumption),
forming 10 per cent., and was considerably below
the average. The next class was No. 11 (Premature
Birth, Loav Vitality, Malformation, &c.), forming upwards
of 7 per cent., and exceeded the corrected average
by one-third. Class 4 (Disease of Heart) and Class 6
(Diseases of the Digestive Organs) were of equal amount,
each contributing 5 5 per cent.; the former was of
average amount, the latter somewhat below it. Class 13
(Age), of almost the same amount, was nearly one-tliird
above the average, and Class 14 (Violence) was nearly
twice the average amount. The remaining classes correspond
nearly with their respective averages. The most
noteworthy record in the table, as in the two preceding
years, is the numerical preponderance of diseases of the
Organs of Respiration, which exceeded the corrected
average by about a sixth part.
Age at Death.—Upwards of one-fourth (25-0 per
cent.) of all deaths occurred to infants during their first
year of existence. Upwards of 37 per cent, to children