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28
more so in reference to diseases of a Zymotic character.
In 1879 it will be seen that 174 deaths were registered
from this class of disease, whereas in 1880 146 were
returned, being a decrease of 28, and when we notice
that in the latter year 61 deaths were due to diarrhœa
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against 17 in 1879, the improvement in other diseases,
such as Measles, Scarlet Fever, and Eevers generally, is
most marked. This is very satisfactory, as it is against
this class of disease the sanitarian is constantly at
work, and bears evidence that the efforts put forth for
years past by the Board and its Officers are bearing fruit,
and that not under the most favourable circumstances,
for the tendency is, with increasing density of population
and consequent greater pollution of air, &c., to
deteriorate health and not to improve it. Therefore, it
is a matter for congratulation that, under these circumstances,
one is able to report a great falling off in those
diseases which are amenable to sanitary laws.
The death-rate, calculated on a mean population in
June, 1880, is 16.5 per 1,000, thus bearing out the
assertions made in previous reports that our method,
viz., that of the Registrar-General, of calculating the
increase of population on which to form the basis of
statistics was erroneous, and has given for years past
3 per 1,000 more than really existed. The above is a
death-rate which will bear favourable comparison with
any part of the Metropolitan District, and when we
consider the nature of this district and its people,
reflects great credit on those who have the direction and
carrying out of our local affairs, and I doubt if a lower
death-rate will ever be attained.
Mortality.—The total number of deaths registered
as having taken place in the district was 1,010; 498
being males, 512 females, the latter being 14 in excess
of the former. In 1879, 1,002 were returned, there is,