View report page

96
and with "teething." The convulsions being a sympton only,
such deaths are classified to the primary disease named, or to
dentition, as the case may be. Laryngismus Stridulus (spasm
of the glottis), included in the new classification with diseases of
the nervous system, is not infrequently the assigned cause of
death of children "found dead in bed." The name of the
disease has much the same meaning as "want of breath," which,
indeed, is the cause of death from spasm of the glottis. In the
absence of other apparent cause of death, the pre.existence of
spasm of the glottis may have been inferred; but it is quite
possible, to say the least of it, that in some of the cases the
children had been "overlaid," i.e., suffocated—a remark equally
applicable to deaths attributed to convulsions, in the case of
children found dead in bed. The cause of death in such cases—
whether spasm of the glottis or convulsions be returned—can be
only guessed at, when the child has not been seen to die; for
examination after death cannot prove the occurence of spasm
during life, and there is no pathological condition which would
enable one to say positively that a child had suffered, still less
that it had died, from convulsions.
2. The second Order comprises the Diseases of the Organs
of Special Sense (e.g., of Ear, Eye, Nose). One death only
was registered.
3. Circulatory System.—The deaths due to diseases of the
organs of circulation, heart and blood vessels, were 163 against
179, 196, and 170 in 1883.4.5 : 124 were registered in the Town
sub.district, and 39 in Brompton. The quarterly numbers were
56, 31, 43, and 33. To specified forms of disease 55 deaths
were assigned, viz., Pericarditis, 3; Valvular Diseases of Heart,
33; Aneurism, 9; Embolism and Thrombosis, 2. Other Diseases
of Heart caused 108 deaths, and Other Diseases of Blood
Vessels 8 deaths.
4. Respiratory System.—The deaths from the diseases of
the chest, phthisis being excluded, were 630; or 17 more than in
1885, and 22.8 per cent. of total deaths. Of this number 517