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Comments on the Registrar-General's Table of Total Deaths by
Cause and Age and Sex.
The chief cause of death, both in males and females, was Heart
Disease, and its heaviest incidence was in ages over 45 years. The
next important cause of death was Cancer, which resembled Heart
Disease in causing most deaths in females and in its highest incidence
after 45 years. Pneumonia also exacted a heavy toll with a
higher incidence in males. The age period 5-25 showed the lowest
number of deaths from this cause. The fatality of Pneumonia
during the first year of life should be noted. With the exception of
the group of conditions, Congenital Debility, Premature Birth,
Malformation, etc., it was the greatest cause of death at this age.
Other illuminating and important causes of death are other circulatory
diseases, which fell particularly heavily on women over 55
years. Tuberculosis, which was more fatal in the male sex, and
which, in both sexes, caused the highest number of deaths in
the young adult age period of 15-35 years was the greatest
cause of death among the young adult population. Deaths from
violence, contrary to the experience in 1934. fell about equally on
both sexes, and also showed a decline. Cerebral Hamorrhage and
Nephritis were a more usual cause of death in women than men,
whilst Digestive diseases fell more heavily on men. Deaths from
Zymotic diseases were relatively insignificant in number.
To sum up, the most dangerous time of life up to the 45th
year is the first year: from 45 years onward the incidence of death
rises, fairly slowly at first, but rapidly after the 55th year.
Comparisons with 1934.
There was a notable decline in the deaths from the Zymotic
diseases, there being no deaths from Measles and Scarlet Fever,
and only 2 from Whooping Cough. These three conditions caused
deaths in 1934. Diphtheria also showed a decline in fatality of
over 50%. Pulmonary Tuberculosis, however, caused 12 more
deaths. There was a conspicuous decline in the number of deaths
attributed to Cancer, from 374 in 1934 to 326 in 1935. Deaths from
Heart Disease, however, increased by 85. Pneumonia deaths
showed a decline of 20, and those due to Bronchitis a decline of 22.
Deaths from Digestive diseases, including appendicitis, increased
by 14. Deaths from Suicide and Violence declined from 135 to 111.
The year 1935 was a healthier year than 1934. In spite of the
increased population and a probable increase in the average age of
the population, due to the low birth rate, the total number of deaths
where 82 fewer in men and 64 in women than in 1934.