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60
ALCOHOLISM.
74. There were 7 deaths from alcoholism, 3 from peripheral
neuritis, and 33 from cirrhosis of the liver, making a total of
43 deaths probably due to alcohol, compared with 23, 31, 23,
18 and 31 in the five preceding years. Of the 43 deaths, 17
were males and 26 females. As compared with 1913, the
deaths show an increase of 6 males and 19 females. Excessive
drinking among women, especially among wives receiving
separation allowance, was noted by many observers.
It is no doubt one cause of the increased infant mortality
11 deaths occurred in the first quarter of the year, 6 in the
second, 12 in the third, and 14 in the fourth.
75. The death-rate from alcoholism, peripheral neuritis
and cirrhosis of the liver was 0.32. Though higher than for
14 years, this rate is lower than it was from 1899-1901, during
the South African War.
SYPHILIS.
76. There were 3 deaths from syphilis, compared with 7,
6, 3, 9 and 9 in the five preceding years. All of these occurred
in public institutions. All were infants under one year.
There were, in addition, 27 deaths from general paralysis,
tabes dorsalis (locomotor-ataxy), and aneurism, diseases
which are considered to be due to syphilis, compared with
25, 30, 29 and 23 in the four preceding years. These figures
are far from representing the total mortality caused by
venereal disease. Many of the deaths from epilepsy, premature
birth, congenital debility, and diseases of the brain,
heart, blood-vessels and other organs are due to this cause.
Private practitioners—for obvious reasons—rarely certify a
death as due to venereal disease, so that the total amount of
mortality from this cause can only be guessed at.