( 95 )
BENGAL PROVINCE, 1875.
During the year 1875 the population of the selected areas differed in num-
ber, owing to classification and arrangement, from that of 1874; but as these
changes were made only in a few circles they have not affected the total popu-
lation of the general circles; "and with regard to the selected circles they do
not, on the whole, disturb the general results to any material extent." The
monthly mortality registered from cholera in the selected areas is shown in
the annexed tabular statement for 1875. The total of the deaths registered
is 7,704, or at the rate of 5.76 per mille of the population of the selected
areas to which these returns refer. The total population in which these deaths
were registered is given at 2,688,076, viz., males 1,378,165 and females
1,309,911.
In the urban circles—population, males 673,976 and females 609,987, total
1,283,963'—there were registered 4,3(55 deaths, vis. males 2,956 and females
1,769, the ratios per mille of population being respectively 3.39 and 3 85
and 2.90.
In the rural circles—population, males 704,189 and females 699,924, total
1,404,113—-the deaths were 3,339, viz. males 1,806 and females 1,533, the
ratio per mille of population being respectively 2.37 and 2.19.
Inclusive of the deaths registered in the selected areas, the total number of
deaths from cholera registered in 1875 was 108,262, or 1.80 per mille of the
population, against 56,876, or 94 per mille, in 1874, and 58,675, or .98 per
mille, in 1873. Of the deaths in 1875, there were returned from the towns
5,474, or 2.77 per mille, and from the rural general circles 102,788, or 1.77
per mille.
The results in the selected areas as compared with those of 1874 are
as follows:—
For the town circles, 3,365 deaths in 1875 against 3,418 deaths in 1874.
For the rural
„ 3,339
„
„
„
2,927
„
„
The combined „ 7,704
„
„
„
6,345
„
„
Ratio per mille of population 3.39 for towns in 1875, against 2.67 in 1874.
„
„
„
„
2.37 rural circles
„
„ 2.08 „
„
„
2.86 combined
„
„ 2.36 „
The most noticeable feature in the history of the cholera of 1875 in the
Bengal province is its wide prevalence. No single district in the province
escaped altogether, and in those which suffered most this cause of death may
be said to have been in operation all the year round. The figures above given,
taken in connection with the reports of district medical officers, indicate that
cholera prevailed with great severity in Bengal during the year 1875, more
than one-fifth of the deaths being attributed to it, and that the death-rate from
this cause, making due allowance for improvement in registration of deaths
in the general circles, was greatly in excess of that of the preceding year.
The death returns show that that there are two distinct periods of the year,
as has been frequently noticed in previous reports, in which cholera prevails
with great intensity in Bengal, viz. in the hot season from March to July, and
in the two last months of the year.
The degree of prevalence of cholera and the number of circles affected in
each month of 1875 are shown as follows :—
MONTHS.
January
February
March
April
May
June
4,993
6,580
11,191
12,395
10,695
7,998
Number
of circles
affected.
211
236
365
367
3?5
360
MONTHS.
July
August
September
October
November
December
6,140
4,297
2,623
5,425
18,363
18,562
Number
of circles
affected.
922
263
242
274
426
142