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2
The deaths, 549, were at the rate of 21.7 per 1000 of the
population. The 776 births, were at the rate of 30.6 of the
population. The deaths averaged 42.2 weekly, whilst in the
previous quarter they were only 30 every week. There is an
excess of 159 deaths to account for at a time when no epidemic
has prevailed in the Parish, showing that epidemic maladies may
be materially lessened without any very great improvement upon
a general death-rate.
The Zymotic diseases, including the epidemic forms have, for
instance, been very low, viz., 54 only, of which whooping cough
forms the half. Consumption, bronchitis, and other diseases
of the respiratory organs, 159 cases, were not excessive for the
season. Where then is to be explained the increased mortality ?
The most perceptible influence appears to be the cold weather
and dearness of fuel duriug the 8 or 9 weeks in February and
March, when the deaths rose 15 to 17 a-week beyond the usual
average of previous quarters. The mortality affected the very
young and the very aged, who require most warmth—19.5
per cent, of the whole deaths were young children under or
about one year old, whose vitality was sadly imperilled by the
cold—it was not extreme either, but lowering of the thermometer
and of animal heat is always a delicate test, and a severe
trial, not only for infants, but for adults who suffer from either
chronic, functional, or organic disease. Out of 154 old people
above GO, who were carried off this quarter, 36 were over 80,
and G were nonogenarians.

(1) Rheumatic Fever. (2) Typhoid.