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21
so far as they affect heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and,
to some extent, tuberculosis and nephritis ; but there is no
obvious reason which would explain the great increase of
respiratory diseases, particularly in females.
If we examine the figures of different age periods, we find
that the increase of deaths between 15 and 35 is slight or nil,
the increased death.rate in adults being confined to those
over 35.
When we refer to the figures for 1913, we find that already
in that year it was noted that the number of deaths from
apoplexy and diseases of the heart and blood.vessels, as well
as those from respiratory diseases, reached the highest point
recorded. Though there can be no doubt that overwork is
causing much injury to health in the delicate and older men,
there is not sufficient ground for associating the major part
of the increased death.rate with overwork on munitions.
War conditions have injuriously affected women more than
men. Cirrhosis of the liver can be definitely attributed to the
causes which give rise to intemperance, and with this is
probably connected the increased mortality from congenital
debility and premature birth.
Woolwich is not alone in having a greatly increased death.
rate from respiratory diseases, heart disease, phthisis and
violence. There is a similar increase in the County of London.
As regards cirrhosis of the liver, however, there was a
diminution in London.
15. Owing to the steady fall of the birth.rate and the
recent rise of the death.rate the natural increase of the population
(i.e., the excess of births over deaths), 974, has reached
the lowest point recorded since 1891. Though war conditions