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aged 20.25 more nearly approaches the death rate obtaining in the period 1891.1900 than does
the death rate among females at the same age.period.
In previous annual reports it has been shown that a more accurate estimate of the effect
on the community of fluctuations of mortality could be obtained by the use of a "life table,"
the method adopted being similar to that employed by Dr. Tatham in a report on the health of
greater Manchester for the period 1891.3. The advantages of this method and the formula used
are set out in some detail in the appended London life table previously referred to (pages 18
and 19). It will be seen from the description therein contained that in order to apply this
method of comparison it is necessary in the first place to ascertain from the "life table" the
mean future lifetime of males and females in groups of ages corresponding to those age.groups
to which the deaths relate. The following table shows the results thus obtained from the London
life table, 1891.1900—

In the following table the number of deaths occurring in the year 1901 at each age.period
and for each sex is compared with the number of deaths which would have occurred had the
death rates of the period 1891.1900 been maintained in the year 1901. The number of lives
gained in the latter period is also shown, and the figures in the last column of the table express
this gain in terms of " life capital," these being obtained by applying the mean future lifetime
figures given in Table I. to the number of lives gained at each age.group.

During the year 1901, therefore, compared with the average annual mortality of the
decennium 1891.1900, there has been a saving of 9,289 lives, representing a gain to the community
of 337,635 years of " life capital."