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more important infantile diseases so as to show their relative fatality—
for there can be no doubt that the causes of death as returned are in
many instances unsatisfactory because indefinite.
Organs of Circulation.—The diseases of these organs are not very
prevalent in the young. Of 150 deaths only seven occurred under
five years of age. Seven each are ascribed to Pericarditis and to
Aneurism. One hundred and thirty-six to "Heart disease" Eightyeight
of the deaths took place in the two winter quarters.
Respiratory Organs. — The diseases of these organs are most
prevalent and fatal during the winter, and this is especially the case
in old people, who are the principal sufferers from Bronchitis and
Asthma. Bronchitis and Pneumonia are also very common and fatal
diseases in infancy. The total deaths recorded in this group were 483
(222 under five years of age), viz., Laryngitis 12, Bronchitis 270,
Pleurisy 8, Pneumonia 132, Asthma 22, and "Lung disease" 39.
Of the Bronchitis cases 118 took place under five years of age, 84 at
less than a year old, 123 at ages above 55. Pneumonia was fatal to
85 children under five, and to 15 persons above 55. The deaths in
the two winter quarters were 338, in the two summer quarters 145.
Diseases of the Digestive Organs were fatal in 102 cases, 21
under five years of age. The principal diseases were Enteritis 18,
Peritonitis 16, "Liver disease" 28.
Diseases of the Urinary Organs were fatal in 54 cases,mostly
towards the latter period of life. "Kidney disease" was returned in
15 cases, and Bright's disease (Nephria) in 30 cases, probably an
understatement of the actual number of deaths due to this insidious
malady.
Diseases of the Organs of Generation—Eight deaths were returned,
viz., Ovarian Dropsy 6, "Uterus disease," &c., 2; irrespective
of Cancerous affections of these organs.
Diseases of the Organs of Locomotion were returned in two
cases only, and
Diseases of the Integumentary System in 12, viz., Phlegmon
(abscess) 9, and Ulcer 3.
The fourth great class of diseases, viz., the Developmental included
306 deaths, 217 under 5 years of age.
The Diseases of Children (as returned) were 77, viz., Premature
birth 42, all at a very early period of life; Teething 28, Malformation
7.
Diseases of Adults include 12 returned as Childbirth. Deaths from
Childbirth simply are due to the accidents of the puerperal state, as
flooding, injuries, &c., and are quite distinct from puerperal fever
and its congeners.
Diseases of Old People (so called) include "Old Age" only, 76
deaths returned, 11 between 65 and 75; 46 between 75 and 85;
17 between 85 and 95; and two upwards of 95. One alleged
centenarian died in the parish infirmary.
Diseases of Nutrition viz., Atrophy and Debility caused 141
deaths, all but one under five years of age, 132 being in the first
year of life.