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27
i
Compared with the average of the last ten years there
was a diminution of deaths under 15, but an increase at
ages between 15 and 55, and over 65. Over 75, 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, and
those from respiratory diseases (bronchitis and pneumonia)
reached the highest number since 1906.
There has been a remarkable saving of life at ages under
15, and more people survive to die in old age of diseases
resulting from the wear and tear of life.
Table III. shows the number of deaths in 1913 from 57
principal causes at various ages.
Appendicitis caused 9 deaths in 1913, compared with 3^
*
8, and 18, in the three preceding years. Of the 9 deaths,:
6 were males and 3 females; 6 were between 10 and 25 years
of age and, 3 over 25. There is a gretat 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 23
years. It is seen that Avhile the birth-rate has come down
to 67 per cent. of what it formerly was, the death-rate has
been reduced lower still, viz., to 65 per cent, of its figure in
1891.