VITAL STATISTICS.
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703 Tetention of the existing system of a weekly inspection of ashpits, with a view to their being emptied, is veryproperly insisted on. Bedford Urban District.-Dr. Prior records a corrected death-rate from all causes during 1888 amounting to 13’3 per 1000, and a zymotic rate slightly exceeding 1’4 per 1000. Diphtheria caused 5 deaths, and the subject of this disease received careful attention from Dr. Prior, who, in view of some exceptional experience, is convinced that something in excess of mere personal communication is needed to explain its spread. There were also 4 deaths from cronp, which, though entered as of the non-spasmodic type, is not deemed to have been diphtheritic in character. Bedford makes no advance in the way of providing a suitable hospital for infectious diseases, a matter which is the more to be regretted in view of the educational character of the place. Bedford has much to make it an attractive town, but its history as to diphtheria, and this without adequate means of isolation and disinfection, is hardly calculated to inspire confidence as to the future. General work in dealing with nuisances is maintained, and a systematic inspection of bakehouses has just been completed. Cricklaoacell Rural District.—Mr. P. E. Hill returns the death-rate of this district for 1888 as 20’4 per 1000, which, though lower than that for the three years preceding, is one that cannot be regarded as satisfactory. It is, however, stated that improvements in drainage and in the methods of living, as also the provision of a wholesome supply of water, have been secured for the district. Indeed, it is explained, as regards water, that there is now no excuse for resorting to suspicious supplies ; and it is hoped that a con- siderable extension of the excellent public service available will be made. The sewage outfall question is still under consideration, and the sanitary needs of the Town Hall itself are pressing. The closet accommodation also remains to a large extent in an unsatisfactory state, and it is properly urged that either waterclosets or some dry form of excrement disposal should be substituted for the objection- able vault privies prevailing. Scarborough Rural District.-The zymotic rate for this district during 1888 was exceptionally low, and the general death-rate was 13.35 per 1000. Mild scarlatina being found to spread through the agency of schools, special measures were, on Dr. Cuff’s advice, taken to stay the disease. No death occurred. Some new drains were laid down during the year, the cowkeepers and purveyors of milk are registered, and periodical inspections are made of their premises and of the district generally. VITAL STATISTICS. HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS. IN twenty-eight of the largest English towns 6196 births and 3640 deaths were registered during the week ending March 30th. The annual rate of mortality in these towns, which had been 21-3 and 20 ’8 per 1000 in the preceding two weeks, further declined last week to 19’9. During the thirteen weeks of the quarter ending on Saturday, the 30th ult., the death-rate in these towns averaged 20’9 per 1000, and was 2-8 below the mean rate in the corre- sponding periods of the ten years 1879-88. The lowest rates in these towns last week were 12-7 in Derby, 13’5 in Halifax, 15’8 in Birkenhead, and 16’3 in Leicester. The rates in the other towns ranged upwards to 26’8 in Bolton, 27’4 in Plymouth, 28’0 in Preston, and 30’3 in Manchester. The deaths referred to the principal zymotic diseases in these towns, which had increased from 431 to 469 in the preceding three weeks, declined last week to 421 ; they included 149 from measles, 121 from whooping-cough, 51 from scarlet fever, 38 from diphtheria, 35 from fever " (principally enteric), 26 from diarrhoea, and 1 from small- pox. These zymotic diseases caused the lowest death-rates ia Wolverhampton, Bradford, and Cardiff, and the highest rates in Manchester, Sheffield, Bolton, and Preston. The greatest mortality from measles was recorded in Oldham, Manchester, Norwich, and Bolton ; from scarlet fever in Sheffield and Blackburn; from whooping-cough in Bir- BUDgham, Nottingham, and Preston; and from "fever" in Preston. The 38 deaths from diphtheria in the twenty-eight towns included 18 in London, 3 in Man- chester, 3 in Salford, 3 in Sheffield, and 2 in Liver- pool. A fatal case of small-pox was recorded in Ports- mouth, but not one in any of the twenty-seven other large towns; and only 2 small-pox patients were under treatment at the end of the week in the Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals and not any in the Highgate Small-pox Hospital. The number of scarlet-fever patients on Satur- day last in the Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals and in the London Fever Hospital was 579, against numbers ranging in the preceding nineteen weeks from 980 to 569; 41 cases were admitted to these hospitals during the week, against 52 and 58 in the preceding two weeks. The deaths referred to diseases of the respiratory organs in London, which had declined from 402 to 378 in the preceding three weeks, further fell last week to 332, and were 190 below the corrected average. The causes of 68, or 1-9 per cent., of the deaths in the twenty-eight towns last week were not certified either by a registered medical practitioner or by a coroner. All the causes of death were duly certified in Bristol, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Bolton, and in five smaller towns. The largest proportions of uncertified deaths were registered in Salford, Hull, and Halifax. HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS. The annual rate of mortality in the eight Scotch towns, which had been 25’4 and 23’4 per 1000 in the preceding two weeks, further declined to 22’1 in the week ending March 30th, but exceeded by 2-2 per 1000 the mean rate during the same period in the twenty-eight large English towns. The rates in these Scotch towns last week ranged from 6-3 and 14-0 per 1000 in Perth and Edinburgh to 21-7 in Dundee and 29 ’6 in Glasgow. The 565 deaths in the eight towns showed a decline of 34 from the number in the previous week, and included 37 which were referred to whooping-cough, 36 to measles, 7 to "fever" (principally enteric), 7 to diarrhoea, 4 to diphtheria, 1 to scarlet fever, and not one to small-pox; in all, 92 deaths resulted from these principal zymotic diseases, against 106 and 85 in the preceding two weeks. These 92 deaths were equal to an annual rate of 3’6 per 1000, which exceeded by 1’3 the mean rate from the same diseases in the twenty-eight English towns. The fatal cases of whooping-cough, which had been 37 and 31 in the preceding two weeks, rose again to 37 last week, of which 29 occurred in Glasgow and 3 in Dundee. The deaths referred to measles, which had been 45 and 33 in the previous two weeks, increased last week to 36, and included 34 in Glasgow. The 7 deaths from " fever " showed a further increase upon recent weekly numbers, and included 4 in Glasgow. The fatal cases of diphtheria, which had been 7 and 10 in the preceding two weeks, de- clined to 4, of which 3 occurred in Glasgow. The deaths from the principal diseases of the respiratory organs, which had been 173 and 132 in the previous two weeks, were 137 last week, and were 17 below the number in the corre- sponding week of last year. The causes of 70, or more than 12 per cent., of the deaths registered during the week were not certified. ___ HEALTH OF DUBLIN. The rate of mortality in Dublin, which had declined from 33’4 to 26’3 per 1000 in the preceding three weeks, rose again to 27 ’6 in the week ending March 30th. During the thirteen weeks of the quarter ending on Saturday last the death-rate in the city averaged 28’6 per 1000, the mean rate during the same period being 19’5 in London and 19’0 in Edinburgh. The 187 deaths in Dublin showed an in- crease of 9 upon the number in the preceding week ; they included 4 which were referred to measles, 3 to "fever," L to whooping-cough, 1 to scarlet fever, and not one either to small-pox, diphtheria, or diarrhoea. Thus the deaths From these principal zymotic diseases, which had declined ’rom 15 to 8 in the preceding three weeks, rose again last veek to 9 ; they were equal to an annual rate of 1’3 per 1000, ihe rates from the same diseases being 1 ’8 in London and .2 in Edinburgh. The 4 deaths referred to measles ex- ,eeded the number returned in any recent week ; the fatal ases of "fever," which had declined from 10 to 3 in the )receding three weeks, were again 3 last week. The leaths of infants showed a marked increase, while those )f elderly persons showed a further decline from recent veekly numbers. Five deaths from violence and 7 inquest iases were registered; and 73, or nearly 40 per cent., of he deaths occurred in public institutions. The causes of 3, or more than 17 per cent., of the deaths in the city were lot certified.
Transcript of VITAL STATISTICS.
703
Tetention of the existing system of a weekly inspection ofashpits, with a view to their being emptied, is veryproperlyinsisted on.Bedford Urban District.-Dr. Prior records a corrected
death-rate from all causes during 1888 amounting to13’3 per 1000, and a zymotic rate slightly exceeding 1’4per 1000. Diphtheria caused 5 deaths, and the subject ofthis disease received careful attention from Dr. Prior, who,in view of some exceptional experience, is convinced thatsomething in excess of mere personal communication isneeded to explain its spread. There were also 4 deathsfrom cronp, which, though entered as of the non-spasmodictype, is not deemed to have been diphtheritic in character.Bedford makes no advance in the way of providing asuitable hospital for infectious diseases, a matter which isthe more to be regretted in view of the educationalcharacter of the place. Bedford has much to make it anattractive town, but its history as to diphtheria, and thiswithout adequate means of isolation and disinfection, is
hardly calculated to inspire confidence as to the future.General work in dealing with nuisances is maintained,and a systematic inspection of bakehouses has just beencompleted.
Cricklaoacell Rural District.—Mr. P. E. Hill returns thedeath-rate of this district for 1888 as 20’4 per 1000, which,though lower than that for the three years preceding, is onethat cannot be regarded as satisfactory. It is, however,stated that improvements in drainage and in the methodsof living, as also the provision of a wholesome supply ofwater, have been secured for the district. Indeed, it isexplained, as regards water, that there is now no excuse forresorting to suspicious supplies ; and it is hoped that a con-siderable extension of the excellent public service availablewill be made. The sewage outfall question is still underconsideration, and the sanitary needs of the Town Hallitself are pressing. The closet accommodation also remainsto a large extent in an unsatisfactory state, and it isproperly urged that either waterclosets or some dry form ofexcrement disposal should be substituted for the objection-able vault privies prevailing.Scarborough Rural District.-The zymotic rate for this
district during 1888 was exceptionally low, and the generaldeath-rate was 13.35 per 1000. Mild scarlatina being foundto spread through the agency of schools, special measureswere, on Dr. Cuff’s advice, taken to stay the disease. Nodeath occurred. Some new drains were laid down duringthe year, the cowkeepers and purveyors of milk are
registered, and periodical inspections are made of theirpremises and of the district generally.
VITAL STATISTICS.
HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS.
IN twenty-eight of the largest English towns 6196 birthsand 3640 deaths were registered during the week endingMarch 30th. The annual rate of mortality in these towns,which had been 21-3 and 20 ’8 per 1000 in the precedingtwo weeks, further declined last week to 19’9. Duringthe thirteen weeks of the quarter ending on Saturday,the 30th ult., the death-rate in these towns averaged 20’9per 1000, and was 2-8 below the mean rate in the corre-sponding periods of the ten years 1879-88. The lowestrates in these towns last week were 12-7 in Derby, 13’5 inHalifax, 15’8 in Birkenhead, and 16’3 in Leicester. Therates in the other towns ranged upwards to 26’8 inBolton, 27’4 in Plymouth, 28’0 in Preston, and 30’3 inManchester. The deaths referred to the principal zymoticdiseases in these towns, which had increased from 431 to469 in the preceding three weeks, declined last week to 421 ;they included 149 from measles, 121 from whooping-cough,51 from scarlet fever, 38 from diphtheria, 35 from fever
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(principally enteric), 26 from diarrhoea, and 1 from small-pox. These zymotic diseases caused the lowest death-ratesia Wolverhampton, Bradford, and Cardiff, and the highestrates in Manchester, Sheffield, Bolton, and Preston. Thegreatest mortality from measles was recorded in Oldham,Manchester, Norwich, and Bolton ; from scarlet fever inSheffield and Blackburn; from whooping-cough in Bir-BUDgham, Nottingham, and Preston; and from "fever"in Preston. The 38 deaths from diphtheria in thetwenty-eight towns included 18 in London, 3 in Man-chester, 3 in Salford, 3 in Sheffield, and 2 in Liver-pool. A fatal case of small-pox was recorded in Ports-
mouth, but not one in any of the twenty-seven otherlarge towns; and only 2 small-pox patients were undertreatment at the end of the week in the MetropolitanAsylum Hospitals and not any in the Highgate Small-poxHospital. The number of scarlet-fever patients on Satur-day last in the Metropolitan Asylum Hospitals and inthe London Fever Hospital was 579, against numbersranging in the preceding nineteen weeks from 980 to 569;41 cases were admitted to these hospitals during the week,against 52 and 58 in the preceding two weeks. The deathsreferred to diseases of the respiratory organs in London,which had declined from 402 to 378 in the preceding threeweeks, further fell last week to 332, and were 190 belowthe corrected average. The causes of 68, or 1-9 per cent.,of the deaths in the twenty-eight towns last week werenot certified either by a registered medical practitioner orby a coroner. All the causes of death were duly certifiedin Bristol, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Bolton, and in fivesmaller towns. The largest proportions of uncertified
deaths were registered in Salford, Hull, and Halifax.
HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS.
The annual rate of mortality in the eight Scotch towns,which had been 25’4 and 23’4 per 1000 in the precedingtwo weeks, further declined to 22’1 in the week endingMarch 30th, but exceeded by 2-2 per 1000 the mean rateduring the same period in the twenty-eight large Englishtowns. The rates in these Scotch towns last week rangedfrom 6-3 and 14-0 per 1000 in Perth and Edinburgh to 21-7in Dundee and 29 ’6 in Glasgow. The 565 deaths in theeight towns showed a decline of 34 from the number in theprevious week, and included 37 which were referred to
whooping-cough, 36 to measles, 7 to "fever" (principallyenteric), 7 to diarrhoea, 4 to diphtheria, 1 to scarlet fever,and not one to small-pox; in all, 92 deaths resulted fromthese principal zymotic diseases, against 106 and 85 in thepreceding two weeks. These 92 deaths were equal to anannual rate of 3’6 per 1000, which exceeded by 1’3 the meanrate from the same diseases in the twenty-eight Englishtowns. The fatal cases of whooping-cough, which had been37 and 31 in the preceding two weeks, rose again to 37 lastweek, of which 29 occurred in Glasgow and 3 in Dundee.The deaths referred to measles, which had been 45 and 33in the previous two weeks, increased last week to 36, andincluded 34 in Glasgow. The 7 deaths from " fever
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showed a further increase upon recent weekly numbers, andincluded 4 in Glasgow. The fatal cases of diphtheria,which had been 7 and 10 in the preceding two weeks, de-clined to 4, of which 3 occurred in Glasgow. The deathsfrom the principal diseases of the respiratory organs, whichhad been 173 and 132 in the previous two weeks, were 137last week, and were 17 below the number in the corre-sponding week of last year. The causes of 70, or more
than 12 per cent., of the deaths registered during the weekwere not certified.
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HEALTH OF DUBLIN.
The rate of mortality in Dublin, which had declinedfrom 33’4 to 26’3 per 1000 in the preceding three weeks,rose again to 27 ’6 in the week ending March 30th. Duringthe thirteen weeks of the quarter ending on Saturday lastthe death-rate in the city averaged 28’6 per 1000, the meanrate during the same period being 19’5 in London and 19’0in Edinburgh. The 187 deaths in Dublin showed an in-crease of 9 upon the number in the preceding week ; theyincluded 4 which were referred to measles, 3 to "fever,"L to whooping-cough, 1 to scarlet fever, and not one eitherto small-pox, diphtheria, or diarrhoea. Thus the deathsFrom these principal zymotic diseases, which had declined’rom 15 to 8 in the preceding three weeks, rose again lastveek to 9 ; they were equal to an annual rate of 1’3 per 1000,ihe rates from the same diseases being 1 ’8 in London and.2 in Edinburgh. The 4 deaths referred to measles ex-,eeded the number returned in any recent week ; the fatalases of "fever," which had declined from 10 to 3 in the)receding three weeks, were again 3 last week. Theleaths of infants showed a marked increase, while those)f elderly persons showed a further decline from recent
veekly numbers. Five deaths from violence and 7 inquestiases were registered; and 73, or nearly 40 per cent., ofhe deaths occurred in public institutions. The causes of3, or more than 17 per cent., of the deaths in the city werelot certified.
