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It is seen that the number of deaths at all age periods
under 55 was much below the average of previous years, and
at several age periods the lowest recorded. Over 75, on the
other hand, the number of deaths was the highest recorded.
The number of deaths also from nephritis (kidney diseases),
apoplexy, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels, was the
highest recorded, while those from respiratory diseases were
below the average.
There has been a remarkable saving of life at ages under
55, and people are surviving to die in old age of diseases
resulting from the wear and tear of life.
Table IV. shows the number of deaths in 1912, from 57
principal causes at various ages. Several alterations have
been made in the table in order to include all the headings of
the Table III. required by the Local Government Board
Appendicitis caused 18 deaths in 1912, compared with
3 and 8 in the two preceding years. Of the 18 deaths, 11
were males and 7 females; 9 were between five and 20 years
of age, and 9 over 20. There is a great increase in the
number of deaths attributed to this disease, but it would
be a mistake to think that actually more persons die of
appendicitis than formerly. Illnesses formerly called peritonitis,
enteritis, etc., are now called appendicitis, and as a
fact there has been a marked reduction in the total deaths
from inflammatory affections of the abdomen.
15. The chart on the opposite page shows graphically
how the birth and death rates have varied in the past 21
years. It is seen that while the birth-rate has come down
to 66 per cent. of what it formerly was, the death-rate has
been reduced lower still, viz., to 61 per cent. of its figure in
1891.