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52
though it has been done in some parts of London, to particularise the separate houses in
which the diseases occurred. This, I think, is carrying notification to its extremest limits,
and does not seem to be a wise proceeding.
Diseases of the Respiratory Organs.
The number of deaths resulting from diseases of the lungs and their coverings is 326,
as compared with 108 in each of the two preceding years. This includes the deaths of
patients in outlying institutions. I have still to make the same confession as in past
years, that it is not possible for me to distinguish correctly the chronic from the acute
form of bronchitis, since in the majority of cases no distinction is made between them in
the death certificate; the most frequent form being simply bronchitis.
The death rate from all the forms of lung disease is 6.9 per thousand per annum.
The following tabular statement gives the number of deaths due to each form of lung
disease and the death rate per thousand per annum for the last five years:—
1890.
1889.
1888.9.
1887.8.
1886.7.
Phthisis
72
1.61
64
1.38
61
1.37
90
2.0
114
2.7
Bronchitis
126
2.59
81
1.75
77
1.73
114
2.59
149
3.54
Pneumonia
65
1.25
35
.71
30
.67
71
1.6
36
.85
Bron.-Pneumonia
57
1.21
14
.45
23
.51
34
.77
23
.55
Pleurisy
5
.09
2
.04
2
.045
3
.07
none
Pleuro-Pneumonia
1
.02
1
.022
5
.11
4
.09
1
.024
Emphysema
......
1
.022
......
......
......
I have in a former part of my report spoken of Influenza and its direful results; the
table of deaths from lung diseases compels me to notice it again. The above table shows
most conclusively its ravages. I do not hesitate to say that in my pinion Influenza may
be truthfully assigned as the sole cause of this increased mortality, (which amounts to 82
per cent.,) under the heading of lung mischief. I have permission to quote the following
clear and succinct remarks recently made on this scourge.