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made then may be made now, viz., that even if the figure for 1914 does not, it is
unlikely that so high a figure as that attained in 1911 will, in face of the improved
protective measures taken, ever be reached again.
Further reference to each of the diseases in the zymotic group is made in
subsequent pages. It may be noted here, however, that of the 72 deaths 17 were
due to diphtheria and croup, and 16 to whooping cough. In the case of measles
there was a very marked fall from 32 to 3. The table from which these figures are
taken will be found on page 92.
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 183, a figure smaller by 8 than that for 1913, when 191
deaths were registered.
The smallest number ever registered in the Borough was 169 in 1910.
The great bulk of the 183 deaths, viz., 152, was due to phthisis. This figure is
greater by 3 than that for 1913.
Of the total number of deaths registered (1,605), the percentage due to phthisis
was 9.4 as against 9.1 in 1913. The age periods at which the deaths occurred were:
2—5 years, 1 (0.6 per cent.); 5—15, 4 (2.6 per cent.); 15—25, 15 (9.8 per cent.);
25—45, 58 (38.1 per cent.); 45—65, 58 (38.1 per cent.); 65 and over, 14 (9.2 per
cent.). Below the age of two years, 2 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 for 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.