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14
below the average (16.4), and 5.3 below the Metropolitan rate (19.7),
this being 0.3 below the average (20 0). The deaths from the
principal zymotic disases were 10 (the smallest total in 1890),
and, 12 below the corrected average, including enteric fever 3
(the largest monthly number), and scarlet fever and diphtheria 2
each. The deaths from the diseases of the respiratory organs
further rose (from 49) to 64 (the same number as in 1889), including
bronchitis 33, and pneumonia 17. The deaths of children
under five years of age fell (from 71) to 54, including 34 under
1 year, while those of persons aged 60 and upwards rose (from
49) to 69. The mean temperature was 43.5, and 0.1 above the
average (43.4).
In the thirteenth and last period, one of five weeks (49th—
53rd weeks, November 30th, 1890, to January 3rd, 1891), the
death-rate further rose (from 14.3) to 19.1, and was 2.5 above the
average (16.6), but 5.6 below the Metropolitan rate (24.7), this
being 3 3 above the decennial average (21.4). The deaths from the
principal diseases of the zymotic class were 21, or 10 below the
corrected average, viz., whooping-cough 7, diphtheria 5 (the
highest number since the seventh four-weekly period), diarrhoea 4,
scarlet fever 3, and enteric fever 2. The deaths from diseases of
the respiratory organs were 114, the largest number since the first
four weekly period, and 53 above the number in 1889, including
bronchitis 70, and pneumonia 23. The deaths of children under
five years of age rose (from 54) to 77, including 55 under one
year, and those of persons aged 60 and upwards (from 69) to 137.
This was by far the largest total in 1890, after allowance for the
fifth week, and is the explanation of the higher death-rate, which
was especially caused by diseases of the chest, due to low temperature—29.9,
or 9.8 below the average (39.7)—piercing winds
and London fog. Thus, the year which began so badly ended
badly, diseases of the respiratory organs being conspicuously
fatal throughout, the deaths from these diseases in every month,
except one, having been in excess of those in the corresponding
month of 1889, the total excess for the year being 278; the