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below the mean from the early part of the second week in
July to the second week in December. Also that the
greatest number of deaths occur during the third week in
January and the first of February, and that after a fall until
near the end of March, it rises again to the end of the third
week in April, and remains at a high point, with a temporary
fall, up to the last week in May. At the commencement of
an epidemic, the rise often continues later than the end of
May, and the sharp decline does not occur until the middle
of June, or even a little later. The period however varies
considerably, as in 1871 the greatest number of deaths
occurred in the eighteenth week, and therefore it is not to
be assumed that the curve described by the deaths during a
large number of years, is that which will occur in any given
year.
The admissions into the Small Pox Hospitals, correspond
pretty closely with the deaths, except that as might be
expected, the curve rises above the mean line in November
instead of December, and the curves are more irregular
owing to the shortness of the period during which these
hospitals have been open. I have not therefore reproduced
the diagram of the cases of small pox from the Registrar
General's Report, as I have of the deaths. I would also
mention that the curve described by the deaths from small
pox in New York, much resembles that for London, but is
more smooth, the rise in January and February being
continuous up to the middle of the month and then declining
to the middle of March, rising again gradually to the
middle of May, and then falling regularly but sharply to the
end of September.
The rise in May is higher, being nearly
70 per cent. above the mean against 40 for London, and the
depression is also nearly 70 per cent. below the mean
against 40 for London.