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16
mean temperature was 38°.3, and 3°.7 below the average. In the
first of the four weeks the deficiency was 9°.0, in the second
week 10°.6, and in the third week 4°.5, while in the fourth week
the temperature was 9°.0 in excess. The effects of seven weeks of
continuous cold were painfully visible in the rise of the death rate,
due to an excessive fatality from diseases of the respiratory organs,
especially among aged persons and young children. These diseases
were the causes of 119 deaths in the four weeks, or 40 in excess of
the corrected decennial average. The deaths of persons at 60
and upwards were 102, the corrected average being 66 only. One
hundred and six children died under the age of five years. In the
Metropolis, as a whole, it may be added, the deaths from
diseases of the respiratory organs in the four weeks were no fewer
than 1,317 in excess of the corrected average. It will be seen
that in subsequent months a low rate of mortality prevailed, consequent
on what may be described as the premature cutting-oil* of
many lives that would have gradually passed away under more
normal conditions of winter temperature.
In the fourth period (13th-16th weeks, March 28th to April
24th) the rate of mortality fell (from 23.2) to 15.7 per 1,000, being
4.2 below the decennial average, and 4.3 below the Metropolitan
rate, which in turn, again, was 3.9 below the average. The deaths
from the principal diseases of the zymotic class were 28 (seven
below the average)—viz., diphtheria 4, and whooping cough 19.
The mean temperature was 46°.0 and 0°.9 above the average. The
figures relating to mortality, as set out in my Report, contrasted
very favourably with the corresponding figures in the previous
Report, the deaths under five being 76, against 106; and the
deaths at 60 and upwards being 66, against 102; while the
deaths from diseases of the respiratory organs were only 44 as
compared with 119. A similar improvement was shewn for the
Metropolis as a whole in the weekly returns of the Registrar
General.
In the fifth period (17th-20th weeks, April 25th to May 22nd)
the rate of mortality further declined to 15.2 per 1,000, being 1.2
below the decennial average and 2.9 below the Metropolitan