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diseases. Towards the end of this period, boys, being
more exposed than girls, often die from injuries included
in the class of violent deaths. This would be very
apparent in the death returns of a manufacturing or
mining district. Girls on the other hand, living less
in the open air, suffer more than boys from phthisis.
With the exception of scarlet fever, diphtheria, whoopingcough,
and fever, all the zymoses are more fatal to boys
than to girls. Annually in all England, from all causes,
less than 5 out of every 1,000 boys die at this age
(10—15), the mortality being slightly greater amongst
girls. The difference is shown in the death-rate of .483
per cent, of boys at this age, as compared with .506
per cent, of girls. In the Stockbridge District, the
mortality was at the rate of '198 per cent.; in Merthyr
Tydvil, the rate was 1.089 per cent, which at this age
was the highest rate in England.
Between 15 and 25 years of age. Development is
the characteristic of this period of life. Muscles are
strengthened, bones are consolidated, and the body
acquires its perfection of form and vigour. Of the zymoses
fever is the most fatal at this age. The exanthemata, if
they do occur so long after childhood, are generally severe.
The effect of habits and occupations upon health is
visible. Local diseases of the nervous system, and of
the circulatory and respiratory organs, appear. Among
women, half of the deaths are from phthisis, and a few
in connexion with childbirth. Violent deaths of males,
the result of accident or crime, are numerous at this
age. The mortality at the ages 20—25 has gradually
increased, being in all England .883 per cent, for men,
and .853 for women.