The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-08-11


are exceedingly deceptive, especially if by
fhem,wc attempt to compare the mortality
of particular diseases in different localities
since an excessive mortality from enc
disease will diminish the ratio Of that of
all other diseases to the aggregate" For
instance, we learn from such table that
13 per cent. of the deaths in Boston are
Consumption, while in New Orleans, as
we learn from similar table, only 7 per
cent. of the deaths are from this cause.
From these 6gnres we should infer that
consumption is nearly twice as prevalent
in Boston as in New Orleans. Such was,
in fact, for many years the popular opin-
ion, and many a patient went from the
former to the latter city to escape this fell
destroyer. Now what is the actual fact
We find that in Boston the ratio of the
annual number of deaths from Phthisis to
the living population is as 312 to 100000,
while in New Orleans it is as 451 to 100,-
900. So that more than four die of Con-
sumption in New Orleans for every three
in Boston. Tako another example. FROM
these tables we learn that so pr. C. of the
deaths are from Zymotic diseases in New
Orleans while in Boston 25 pr. c. of the
deaths are from these causes. From which
we infer that Zymotics are only about
twice as prevalent in New Orleans as IN
Boston. But from the bills of morality
of the two cities, we find that, in proper
ton to the number Of inhabitants living
more than five times as many die in New
Orleans as in Boston from Zymotics.
Let US compare, by such means as we
have, the hygienic character of few
places. The total mortality of London
and twenty-five British cities is 2707 in
each 100000 Of the inhabitants. The
mortality from Zymotics is COL in the
same number of inhabitants. In Boston
we have the ratio of 222l to the 100000
for the total mortality and $40 for that of
Zymotics. Hence we very safely infer
that the hygienie character of Boston is
considerably superior to the average of
that of the British cities. But how is it
with New Orleans Here the total NOR.
tality swells to 1863 in each 100000,
more than twice that Of the British cities,
and nearly three times that of Boston.
While the Zymotics, which show, more
strictly, the hygienic character of the To-
cality, rise to 1921 against $40 in Boston
and COL in tho British cities, being more
than FIVE times as great. Again, the total
mortality of England is 23ls in each 10O,-
900. In the United States it averages
1857 in each 100000. For the Zymotics
the mortality in England is 472 in each
100000. In the United States it avera-
ges 566 in each 100000. From these
facts we infer that while the hygienic
character of this country isinfer.or to that
of England-it is more unhsalthy-yst
the vigor of constitution of the inhabitants
here is far superior to that of those in
England we are stoutsr and healthier
than they.
And how is it among the different States
af the Union Let us compare Virginia
one of the oldest States, with California
one Of the newest. Virginia gave, by the
last census, a ratio of 365 deaths in 1O0,.
900 Of its Inhabitants, from Zymotics.
This being much below the average, for
the United States 566. places her among
the most healthy States, the sixth on the
list. The deaths from Sporadics were
976 in the same population. This being
above the average 7e9, places her the
25th in that list, indicating that the con-
stitutional vigor of the people is not as
good az the others. On the other hand
California shows ratio of I'll deaths
from Zymotics, in each 100000, much
above the average 566, showing the local
ity to be very unhealthy, stands in that
list. While the ratio of only 266 deaths
from Sporadic causes, in each 100000,
places her the first on the list for vigorous
robust, healthy people. And this accords
with reason, for We expect only the ysung
and healthy to migrate to new States, es.
pscislly one situated ike California, leav-
ing the aged, the sickly and in6rm in the
| older States.
Rut time fails me to 20 on with this in
terssting subject. leave it here, there
fore, hoping that the Society will discuss
the subjects of nomenclature and classifi-
cation, and will recommend system to be
adopted by the Secretary of State in ma
king out his Report to the next Legisla-
ture.
We understand that DR.. Allen is one
| of tba Committaa snnoiptad hv the Stat