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The death-rate per 1000 per annum, including the deaths in public institutions,
and cases upon which inquests have been held, i.e., upon all the deaths registered, is 22.
This rate, however, would be much reduced if allowance were made for deaths foreign
to the parish, such as inquests and persons who have been brought into the Infirmary
from other localities.
The following table gives an analysis of the number of deaths, classified according
to age:—
Under 1 year
251
From 50 years old to 60
64
From 1 year old to 5
200
„ 60 „ „ 70
70
„ 5 „ „ 10
22
„ 70 „ „ 80
52
„ 10 „ „ 20
29
„ 80 „ „ 90
23
„ 20 „ „ 30
39
„ 90 upwards
2
„ 30 „ „ 40
51
„ 40 „ „ 50
66
869
These figures show that the ages of 5 to 10 and 10 to 20 are most exempt from
mortality, whilst the first five years of life are most liable to it. The rate of infantile
mortality, to which during the course of the year your attention has frequently been
directed, is very great, in many of the weeks forming one-half the number of deaths
registered, and in some weeks even more than half.
TOTAL INCREASE.
The total increase in population during the year has been 576, of whom 263 were
males and 313 females.
Inquests have been held upon 63 persons, of whom it was ascertained that 21 were
not resident in the parish.
There have been four uncertified deaths during the year, and two deaths of newlyborn
infants certified by midwives.
SANITARY MATTERS.
Much work has been done in the matters of clearing away nuisances, the prevention
of the spread of infection, and in using prompt means for disinfecting rooms and houses
in which contagious or infectious diseases have occurred. Bedding and clothing have
also been purified when needful, thus reducing to a minimum any chance of a recurrence
of the contagion where once it had shown itself.
The cow-houses and slaughter-houses have been inspected during the year, a
lengthy report of which was given at one of your usual fortnightly meetings, their condition
being allowed to be generally satisfactory, so that no difficulty was experienced in
the renewal of the licences.
The bake-houses have been visited, and in a few cases it was deemed necessary to
offer a few suggestions as to the bestowal of refuse, &c. These were carried out thus
securing a greater amount of cleanliness.