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47
rise in the mortality from lung diseases takes place under the heading Bronchitis, in a
much greater degree than under the heading Pneumonia; whereas the reverse was the
case in the first month in 1890, for while the mortality under Bronchitis only rose 64
per cent. above the January average, the mortality under Pneumonia rose 97 per cent.
And, thirdly, while the ordinary rise of mortality in cold seasons is mainly among the
very aged, the increased mortality in this fatal month was mainly among persons
between 20 and 60. The excessive mortality, then, from lung diseases in the first month
of 1890 was due to the same cause as were the deaths ascribed to Influenza. The
excess in the last month of the year, on the other hand, which, though not so great
as the earlier excess had been, was nevertheless sufficiently formidable, inasmuch as the
mortality from lung diseases was 44 per cent. above the average for the ten previous
Decembers was doubtlessly in the main due to the usual cause of such excess, namely
prolonged cold, the mean temperature in the month having been °9.3 Fahr. below the
December average, and accompanied, moreover, by a succession of dense fogs; and
accordingly the excess was no longer higher under Pneumonia than under Bronchitis, as
had been the case in January, but in almost equal proportions under the two headings;
the death rate from the former having been 48 and from the latter 47 per cent. above the
December average. Even in this month, however, a comparison of the figures just given
with those in Table C will show that Pneumonia increased as compared with Bronchitis
in far more than the usual winter or cold season proportion ; and this fact suggests the
suspicion that even in last December there was some unhealthy influence at work beyond
ordinary cold weather."
"The effects of the epidemic influence in January, 1890, must not be measured simply by
the number of deaths ascribed to Influenza. The excess of mortality from lung disease in
that month at least must also be included in the account; and there is much reason
to suspect that a very large number of deaths under other headings should also be
similarly included: inasmuch as otherwise inexplicable rises occurred under them. Thus
the mortality from Phthisis suddenly shot up in the first week of January, and remained
far above the average for ten weeks in succession, although the death rate from this
disease in London had been declining for years past, and was below the average in almost