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84
resided in the Metropolis, 14 in the suburbs or Metropolitan
counties, 30 in more distant parts of the country, and one each in
Wales, Orkney, and Russia respectively. The causes of death as
registered, were Phthisis (consumption or decline) alone, in 81
cases, and with other visceral diseases in 9 cases; diseases of the
heart, &c., in 2 cases; diseases of the lungs in 5 cases; and
other diseases in 6 cases.
St. Joseph's House.—The deaths at this institution were 32,
viz., males 13, and females 19: all at ages over 60. The fatal
diseases were—of the heart, 3; of the lungs, 1; of the kidneys,
7; of other viscera, 3; of the nervous system, including paralysis,
13; and various, 5.
DEATHS NOT CERTIFIED.
Sixteen deaths were returned as "not certified," the deceased
having been attended in their last illness by unregistered
practitioners. The number is smaller than in years prior to 1879,
owing to the fact of two previously unregistered practitioners
having obtained a single medical qualification, and become registered
under the Medical Act, 1858. Only five of the deceased had
been attended by persons professing to have medical knowledge,
e.g., as "unqualified" assistants to medical men, &c.; the
remaining 11, mostly infants a few hours or days old, having been
attended by midwives. In nine other cases there had been "no
medical attendant" in the last illness. Several of the deaths were
reported to the Coroner, but no inquest was thought necessary. In
one case, not previously alluded to, the cause of death was stated
to be "unknown." It was that of a male child, aged about one
week, whose body was "found exposed at Chepstow Villas, and
was taken to the workhouse. The Coroner declined to hold an
inquest." Of the above 26 cases, four were adults, viz., gentleman
aged 50, alleged cause of death, disease of the heart; widow, aged
84, natural decay; needlewoman, aged 47, hemorrhage from lungs;
and girl, aged 18, consumption. The registered causes of the
remaining deaths were—premature birth, debility, exhaustion and
inanition, in 12 cases; convulsions, 6; small pox, diarrhœa,