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24
It will thus be seen, that the highest death
rate for the last nine years is that of 1864. From
this it would appear that all your sanitary arrangements
have been in vain, and that, in spite of our
sanitary activity, mortality is on the increase. It
will be observed however, that this is not really the
case, and that there has not been a regular increase
of deaths for the last nine years. The year 1862
was not above the average, whilst the years 1863
and 1864 have undoubtedly been years of exceptional
mortality. I have been at some pains to inquire
into the cause of the increased death rate of the
the two past years, especially the year 1864, and I
now proceed to lay before you the result of my
inquiries.
ZYMOTIC DISEASES.
In the first place I would call your attention to
the fact that the great increase of mortality of 1864
over the two preceding years, has not depended
upon these diseases belonging to the Zymotic Class,
which are generally allowed to be diseases most
under the control of sanitary activity. As 1862
may be regarded as an average year, it may be
regarded as a standard year, and I shall therefore
compare 1863 and 1864 with that year, for the
purpose of ascertaining where the two last years
show an increase of mortality on that year. I
I therefore present you with a Table of Zymotic
Diseases for the three last years:—