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20
one-fourth of the total mortality. It so happens,
however, that autumn is most favourable for the
development of scarlet fever, and winter for smallpox.
Judging from the averages of the last 10 years,
it would seem that the following are the relative
proportions of deaths from some of the most important
diseases during each of the four quarters of
the year:—
Average Number of Deaths, per 1,000 Deaths, from
different Diseases, in each of the four Quarters of the
year, for Ten years.
causes op death.
Quarters ending in
Entire
Year.
March.
June.
Sept.
Dec.
Pneumonia and Bronchitis
217
158
89
180
164
Phthisis
125
137
125
134
131
Wasting Diseases of Infants
45
51
73
55
55
Hydrocephalus
16
22
14
13
16
Convulsions, &c
53
70
58
50
57
Diarrœha, &c.
6
16
123
26
41
Continued Fever
30
33
34
37
33
Scarlet Fever
20
14
34
55
30
Small-Pox
18
12
4
7
11
Measles
15
31
24
18
22
Whooping Cough, &c
46
63
34
35
44
Erysipelas
5
6
6
7
6
As regards the zymotic diseases, it is difficult to
say what are the precise circumstances which affect
their development, and which at times urge them into
pestilential activity. The mere empiricism of the
influence of the seasons, or even of the periodic