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The Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest.—
The deaths at this institution were 110—males 57, and females 53:
27, 31, 21, and 31 in the four quarters respectively; or 58 in the
winter and 52 in the summer half of the year. The ages at death
were:—under 20 years (youngest 13), 13; betweon 20 and 40, 79;
between 40 and 60 (oldest 51), 18. Four of the deaths were of
parishioners. Forty-nine of the deceased had previously resided in
the Metropolis, 24 in the suburbs or Metropolitan counties, and 30
in more distant parts of the country. The causes of death as registered,
were Phthisis (consumption or decline) alone, in 91 cases, and
with other visceral diseases in 4 cases; diseases of the heart, &c., in
6 cases; diseases of the lungs in 2 cases; and diseases of the viscera
in 4 cases.
St.Joseph's House.— The deaths at this institution were 43, viz.,
males 20, and females 23: two only under 60 years of age. The
fatal diseases were such as are common to old age, viz., of the heart,
12; of,the lungs, 9; of other viscera, 6; of the nervous system,
including paralysis, 8; and various, 8.
DEATHS NOT CEBTIFIED.
Fourteen deaths were returned as "not certified," i.e., the deceased
had been attended in their last illness by unregistered practitioners.
The number is smaller than in previous years, owing to the fact of two
such practitioners having obtained a qualification and being registered
under The Medical Act, 1858. Only 5 of the deceased had been attended
by persons professing to have medical knowledge, the remaining nine,
infants a few hours or days old, having been attended by midwives.
The causes of death as entered in the weekly returns were—lung
disease, 4 ; premature birth, 4 ; inanition, 4; convulsions, 2.
In 9 other cases there had been "no medical attendant," the causes
of death as returned being, abscesses, 1; lung disease, 3; scrofula, 1;
natural decay, 1; premature birth, 1; hemorrhage from vein, 1; and
" unknown," 1.
INQUESTS.
One-hundred-and-fifty-nine inquests were held during the year, 132
in the Town Sub-district and 27 in Brompton: the cause of death
having been ascertained in 117 instances by post mortem examination.