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The hope that it will not be necessary again to register a number at all
approaching 203, is in the light of these improvements fully justified.
Further reference will be made to each of the diseases in the group in
subsequent pages. It may, however, be pointed out that of the 86 deaths registered
in 1913, the largest number was again due to measles, viz., 32. In 1912 the number
was 39, and in 1911, 64. Whooping cough caused 11, and scarlet fever 10 deaths.
A table (Table III) giving other figures will be found at page 99.
Phthisis and Other Tuberculous Diseases.
The total deaths due to the diseases dealt with under this heading, viz.: phthisis
(pulmonary tuberculosis or consumption of the lungs), tuberculous meningitis, general
tuberculosis, tabes mesenterica, and all conditions due to the germ of consumption,
numbered 191, a figure greater by seven than that for 1912, when 184 deaths were
registered.
The smallest number ever registered in the Borough was 169 in 1910.
The great bulk of the 191 deaths, viz., 149, was due to phthisis. This figure is
exactly the same as that for 1912, and comes close up to that for 1910, the lowest
year, when there were 133.
Of the total number of deaths registered (1627), the percentage due to phthisis
was 9.1 as against 8.5 in 1912. The age periods at which the deaths occurred were:
2-5 years, 1 (0.7 per cent.); 5.15, 7 (4.7 per cent.); 15-25, 9 (6.4 per cent.);
25-45, 71 (47.6 per cent.); 45-65, 43 (28.8 per cent.); 65 and over, 18 (12.7 per
cent.). Below the age of two years, 3 deaths were certified as having occurred from
this disease.
The subject of phthisis is further discussed in connection with the notification and
prevention of tuberculosis.
The following table gives the figures with regard to each of the years from 1905.
It will be noted that though there have been occasional rises the tendency has all the
time been downwards. The reasons for this will be discussed later.