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78
pulmonary affections at those periods, to which the
old are especially liable to succumb. The diminution
in infantile mortality was due entirely to the remarkable
absence of diarrhoea during the latter summer
months, a phenomenon depending, as already observed,
on the exceptionally low temperature which prevailed
at that time.
I proceed to consider the more important causes
of death. To accidental and other violence 44 deaths
were attributed, as compared with 59 in 1878. To
premature birth, and defective vitality continuing
from birth, 250 deaths were assigned, and to childbirth
17 ; 232 deaths from the former cause occurred
in 1878, and 19 in the latter. 725 persons died from
inflammatory affections of the lungs, against 577 in
1878, a difference of no less than 148. 68 of this
excess was due to children under 5 years of age, and
80 to persons above that age. To tubercular diseases
no less than 495 deaths were attributed. In 1878 the
deaths from, these affections were less by 71. One of
the most remarkable sanitary features of the year was
the low death-rate due to Diarrhoea. This, as is well,
known, is the chief cause of death in young children
during the third quarter of the year, and its prevalence
at that time is connected with the high tempera-