View report page

60
There was no fatal case of Small-pox, only one
of Measles, and eight of Whooping Cough. None
of these diseases were prevalent during the year. The
mortality from the remaining diseases in this class differ
so slightly from the average of the seven previous years
that they require no separate notice.
The mortality from epidemic diseases yields a percentage
of 19.5 upon the number of deaths from all
causes during the year.
Other diseases.—The Tubercular appear to have
caused 38 deaths, and show an increased mortality. I
believe deaths not really tubercular are sometimes
placed in this class. I refer particularly to the disease
called Tabes Mesenterica, to which, not a very common
one, the deaths of so many children are ascribed, whereas,
in fact, some of these deaths arise from inanition, and
are not tubercular diseases at all. Phthisis Pulmonalis
contributes the most deaths to this class, and this year,
as in the one preceding it, the number was largely over
the average; doubtless the inclement weather of both
seasons told equally against the Phthisical, and those
suffering from other organic diseases.
There was an increased mortality from diseases of
the brain and nerves. On the other hand only seventeen
deaths arose from heart disease, which is below the
number recorded in any one of the seven previous years,
excepting that of 1871, when the figures were exactly
similar. These two diseases caused respectively 15.5
and 4.8 per cent. of all causes of death.
The mortality from respiratory diseases was below
that of the previous year, and caused 14.9 per cent. of
all deaths.
The number of deaths in class 11 are nearly double
those of any one of the seven previous years, and form