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15
If we subtract the number of zymotic deaths in 1867 (292), from
the total number of deaths from all causes (1497), we have left 1205;
if this is also done in the case of the year 1868, the zymotic deaths
being 439, and the total number 1644, we have the same residue.
This shows that the excess of mortality depends upon an increase in
the number of zymotic deaths.
These diseases are admitted at all hands to be such as are most
amenable to sanitary conditions; hence an increase of them would
tend to show that these conditions have become more unfavourable.
As the increase has taken place within a year, it might be expected
that some sudden change had occurred in the sanitary state of the
parish. This has not been the case, although there can be no doubt
that the overcrowding and occupation of single rooms by families is
on the increase. The population has certainly increased since the
last census, as indicated by the larger number of births. And an
increase of population brings the inhabitants more closely into contact,
so that the infectious zymotic diseases spread very extensively, and
thus become more fatal.
If we subtract the number of deaths occurring in 1867 in infants
and children under five (663), from the total number of deaths (1497),
we obtain a residue (834), representing the mortality of the older
portion of the population. On doing the same for the year 1868, in
which the deaths under five were 793, the total deaths being 1644, we
have a residue of 851; differing from that of the former year by
only 17.
Hence the difference between the mortality of the two years
consists in an excess of zymotic mortality, occurring at ages under
five years.
On referring to the table at p. 13, it will be seen that the principal
increase has occurred in the deaths from Scarlet Fever and
infantile diarrhoea, which prevailed most extensively during the
summer months, the season, it will be remembered, having been very
dry and hot.
In the 26th and 6 following weeks, the mortality from zymotic
diseases, principally Scarlet Fever and infantile diarrhoea, was extremely
great; the numbers being 14, 18, 13, 20, 17, 10, and 17.
Subsequently they gradually declined.