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41
Of the total number of deaths registered (1,299), the percentage due to phthisis
was 7.2j as against 6.6 in 1919. The age periods at which the deaths occurred were:
2—5 years, 0 (0.0 per cent.); 5—15, 2 (2.1 per cent.); 15—-25, 14 (14.9 per cent.);
25—45, 39 (41.4 per cent.); 45—65, 35 (37.2 per cent.); 65 and over, 3 (3.2 per cent.).
Below the age of two years, 1 death was 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 1909. 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.

RESPIRATORY DISEASES.
The number of deaths due to bronchitis, pneumonia, and other diseases of the
organs of respiration was 276. This is lower by 86 than the figure (362) for 1919.
The death rate was 2'7 per 1,000. In 1919 the rate was 3'8.
The number of deaths certified to be due to bronchitis was 140 as against 170 in
1919. Of this number 86 were amongst persons aged 65 and upwards, and 32
amongst those of the age group 45—65.
The deaths traceable to pneumonia numbered 116, and as in the case of
bronchitis the later age groups contributed the greatest numbers, though 19 of the
deaths occurred amongst children under 2 years of age.
In previous reports and particularly those of 1913 and 1914, considerable
reference was made to the respiratory diseases, and to the part played by them in
adding to the death-rate at the extremes of life, especially. In 1913, the practice of
enquiring into all deaths from pneumonia, and of carrying out disinfection in houses
in which this disease had occurred was commenced, and has been continued. In the
following year the hope was expressed that eventually this most serious and treacherous
disease would be made notifiable, and in 1919 the Ministry of Health by order made
notification of all cases of primary pneumonia and influenzal pneumonia, compulsory
as from 1st March in that year.
During the year the number of notifications received was 71. Of the patients
notified, 21 were aged 25-45, the other age periods contributing smaller numbers.
Further particulars with regard to distribution of the cases, both in relation to age