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5
The chief causes of death at all ages were : tuberculosis, which accounted for
182, including 148 from consumption; pneumonia, which caused 260 deaths;
bronchitis, 202 ; diseases of the heart and circulatory organs, 169 ; old age, 90 ;
cancer, 86 ; measles, 84 ; influenza, 69 ; prematurity, 56 ; diphtheria, 27 ; whooping
cough, 27 ; apoplexy, 51 ; atrophy, debility and marasmus in infants including
debility at birth, 36 ; nephritis, 51 ; and violence which resulted in 58 deaths.
Of the deaths attributed to cancer, 47 were of males and 39 females, 7 were of
persons under 45 years of age, 55 were of persons aged from 45 to 65 years, and the
remaining 24 were amongst persons over 65 years of age. In addition, some
22 deaths were attributed to malignant disease and sarcoma. Some of those attributed
to malignant disease were, in all probability, the result of cancer. The death rate
due to cancer was 0'82 per 1,000 population as compared with 0'87 in 1921, 0.91 in
1920, 0.93 in 1919, 0.95 in 1918 and 1.1 in 1917. The figures indicate a steady
decrease during recent years. The deaths from appendicitis numbered 11, ten being
of males, and there were two deaths from peritonitis, both of males.
No deaths were attributed to alcoholism. Three resulted from cirrhosis of
the liver, two of which were of females. Of the deaths from violence, which were again
below the average, 39 were of males and 19 females. Through accident or negligence
45 persons lost their lives. These included 12 from street accidents, 10 burns or
scalds, and 12 through falls. Thirteen persons, ten of whom were males, committed
suicide. There was one homicidal death. There was only one infant suffocated in
bed. The great decrease in the number of deaths from this cause, which has
characterised the years since 1915, is well worthy of note, and is highly satisfactory
to record. The reasons for it have been commented on in previous reports.