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38
The diseases contributing most largely to the total were diphtheria, 12 ; whooping
cough, 2 ; scarlet fever, 1 ; enteric fever, 1 ; encephalitis lethargica, 1 ; and
measles, 35.
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 84, a figure smaller by 14 than that for 1929.
Than the figure for 1925 it is smaller by 9.
The great bulk of the 84 deaths, viz., 75, was due to phthisis. The number
in 1929 was 89, and in 1925, 93.
Of the total number of deaths registered (1,171), the percentage due to
phthisis was 6.4, as against 6.0 in 1929, and 6.3 in 1925. The age periods at
which the deaths occurred were: 5—15, 2 (2.6 per cent.); 15—25, 13 (17.4 per
cent.); 25—45, 26 (34.6 per cent.); 45—65, 22 (29.4 per cent.); 65 and over, 12
(16.0 per cent.).
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 1925. It may
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 133. This is lower by 131 tl;an the figure (264) for 1929,
and only about one-third of the figure (320) for 1925.
The death-rate was 1.2 per 1,000. In 1929 the rate was 2.4. In 1925 there
were 320 deaths, and the rate was 2.8.
The number of deaths certified to be due to bronchitis was 41, as against 88
in 1929, the year of the severe frost. Of this number 30 were amongst persons
aged 65 and upwards, and 7 amongst those of the group 45—65.
The deaths traceable to pneumonia numbered 80, and, as in the case of
bronchitis, the later age groups contributed the greatest numbers, though 16 of
the deaths occurred amongst children under 2 years of age.
Notification of pneumonia, which was introduced in March, 1919, has been in
full operation since that date. The number of notifications received in 1930 was
42. Further particulars with regard to distribution of the cases, both in relation
to age and residence, will be found in the table on page 80. Visits were paid to
each of the notified cases, and any assistance possible in the way of removal to
hospital or nursing (under the Council's arrangement with the Paddington and
Marylebone Nursing Association) offered. As a matter of interest it may be noted
that requests for disinfection after recovery or death from pneumonia, which about
1925 were fairly common, practically are never now received.
CANCER OR MALIGNANT DISEASE.
The number of deaths due to cancer was 170 and the death-rate 1.5 per 1,000