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in bed." 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
occurrence 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.
The second Order comprises the Diseases of the Organs
of Special Sense {e.g., of Ear, Eye, Nose). Two deaths were
registered from these causes.
3. Circulatory System.— The deaths due to diseases of
the organs of circulation, heart and blood vessels, were 188,
against 163, 200 and 196 in 1886-7-8 : 149 were registered in
the Town sub-district, and 39 in Brompton. The quarterly
numbers were 56, 49, 41 and 62. To specified forms of
disease 41 deaths were assigned, viz., Pericarditis, 5; Acute
Endocarditis, 3; Valvular Diseases of Heart, 33. Aneurism
was the cause of 8 deaths, and Embolism, Thrombosis, of 4.
Other Diseases of Heart caused 127 deaths, and Other Diseases
of Blood Vessels, 8 deaths.
4. Respiratory System. — The deaths from diseases of
the chest, Phthisis being excluded, were 470: 152 fewer
than in 1888, and 19.5 per cent, of total deaths. Of this
number 390 were registered in the Town sub-district and 80 in
Brompton. The quarterly numbers were 154 and 140 in the
first and fourth, or colder quarters, and 108 and 68 in the second
and third, or warmer quarters. The deaths under five years of
age were 152=32.4 per cent, (against 35.4, 42.7 and 42.6 per
cent, in 1886-7-8); and at fifty-five and upwards, 185=39.4 per