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28
CAUSES OF DEATH.
Table No. 11 shows that there were 353 deaths from
heart disease, 213 from cancer, 143 from pulmonary tuberculosis,
121 from bronchitis, 119 from pneumonia, 96 from
influenza, 76 from cerebral haemorrhage and 54 from nephritis.
In 1928 there were 255 deaths from heart disease, 71 from
pneumonia and 39 from nephritis. The other figures differ
but slightly from those of that year. 70 per cent, of all
deaths occurred in persons over 45 years of age.
Heart Disease. The deaths from heart disease, which
numbered 211 in 1927 and 255 in 1928, numbered 353 in
1929. The large increase in diseases of the heart is due
particularly to the abnormally cold weather in the first
quarter of the year, but partially to more accurate certification
of the cause of death in old people. Except in 27 instances,
the age at death was 45 years or over.
Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases. These are referred
to in the section dealing with the notifiable infectious diseases.
Diarrhoea. 28 deaths were certified to be due to diarrhoeal
diseases, compared with 16 in 1928 and 6 in 1927.
21 deaths occurred in children under two years of age.
Respiratory Diseases. The following Table, No. 13,
shows the number of deaths each year since 1925 from respiratory
diseases ; the annual death rate ; the number of deaths
under 5 years, and the percentage of deaths occurring in
children under 5 years of age. The increase in the number
of deaths this year was mainly due to the abnormally cold
weather in February and March, and possibly also to the
prevalence of influenza.