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98
though the connexion may have been overlooked, and is not
recognised in the medical certificate of the cause of death. In
the new classification an attempt has been made to distinguish
deaths due to rheumatic disease involving the heart, from
ordinary rheumatism, without such complication. Gout was
the cause of 6 deaths and Rickets of 1.
Cancer (Malignant Unease) was accountable for 92 deaths; 66
in the Town sub-district, and 26 in Brompton. The deaths
from cancer appear to be on the increase, the numbers in
the previous 8 years having been (67, 74, 69, 88, 79, 95, 90,
and 112. The deaths from this cause in Brompton are more
numerous in proportion to population than in the relatively
poorer Town sub-district. Cancer, in fact, is quite as common
in well-to-do people, or even more common, than amongst
the poorer classes. The parts of the body most commonly affected
are the viscera or internal organs; in women, the uterus and
the breast; the malady being most common in later life. Seventy.
seven of the deaths took place at ages above 45. It may be
well to mention that in Table 3 the deaths of persons who had
cancer are classified to cancer irrespective of the question
whether any other disease was named in the medical certificate,
and of the question whether cancer was the immediate cause of
death.
Purpura, Hemorrhagic diathesis, caused two deaths. Anœmia,
Chlorosis, and Leucocythemia 5 deaths; and Glycosuria, Diabetes
mellitus, 8 deaths. The remaining diseases in this class belong
to the group generically known as
Tubercular, and they are amongst the most important
with which sanitarians have to deal, the degree to
which they prevail in a given district being regarded,
in some sort, as a test of the healthiness or otherwise of
the people. Generally hereditary, these diseases are nevertheless
susceptible of considerable amelioration under improved
hygienic arrangements. Scrofula is unknown in Hygieapolis !
Sunlight and pure air ; efficient drainage and its corollary, a
dry sub-soil ; good food, warm clothing, and temperance in all