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42
Between 85 and upivards. "The wheels of weary
life at last stand still." As, in winter, withered leaves
noiselessly fall from the topmost twigs of sapless boughs
from natural decay, or on the mere shaking of the tree,
so human lives at this period imperceptibly succumb to
"natural death," or to ailments which, in earlier years,
would have been regarded as trifling. At this age a
few deaths are referred to bronchitis, and fewer to
accident or negligence, under the class "violent deaths."
This analysis of Table III. as to the times and the
causes of the deaths in our midst, this commentary upon
the mortality in the microcosm of our own parish, will
be found, by those who choose to investigate the matter,
to correspond with the deductions from the death
returns of the country at large—our own being a copy
and a counterpart on a reduced scale. The figures are
changed, the facts are the same. Furthermore, this
analysis shows, that many prematurely die either
through their own acts or through the acts of others;
and therefore, that the mortality could be greatly
reduced—the payment of the universal debt postponed
though not evaded—if the preventible causes which
conduce to that mortality were avoided.
It remains for one and all, availing themselves of
the best hygienic measures, to save others, and to save
themselves.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES STEVENSON.