The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-15
The Vital Statistics or the Metropolis for the
Past Year. zen.

months. In addition to these we also present
the statistics of the marriages and births in the
metropolis for the same period. From these we
learn that while the number of deaths reached
the high figure of 24,492, the births for the
twelve months commencing November, 1897, aud
ending October, 1858, did not exceed 14,77O,
showing, if the latter returns are reliable,
yearly falling Off in the population OF nearly |
10000. But the returns Of births, according 10 |
the City Inspector, are not correct, Tor the simple
reason that the requirements Of the law in regard
to heirreeistry are not and never have been COM
piled with by the clergy and others to whom the
law applies Were it otherwise we might have
serious cause for ALARM and considerable ground
for the belief that the population of New York
is not sustained by the natural law Of increase,
but wholly by accessions from foreign countries
and from different parts of the Union.
A reference to the table giving the ages Of the
deceased shows that of the deaths S,56S were
| among children under one year old, and that
more than two-thirds of the deceased were under
ten years. After the first decade the greatest
mortality is among adults from thirty to forty
wears of age, and next in point of numbers
among those from forty to fifty. The most fatal
diseases among children are as appears from the
tables, infantile commissions, of which l655
| died, and cholera infantum which carried off
| 1503-the total mortality from the two diseases
numbering 3,l5s or about one-eighth Of all the
deaths during the year. But the most fatal on
| the long list Of diseases is consumption, which
alone swept Off 1874, while there were ,lG7
deaths from inflammation of the lungs, and from
diseases Of the lungs, throat, &c.-6,543
| altogether. After these, in numerical order and
strength, we must class the diseases Of the
! stomach, bowels and other digestive organs.
which have added 6 ,0l5 to the bills of mortality.
| For the cause Of the large number OF deaths
from that most fatal of all diseases consump-
| ton-we must to certain extent look to the
reckless carelessness of our people i'll regard to
the ordinary laws of health; and while this
| cause remains, we may expect to see consump-
ton occupying the first place on the bills of
DEATH Perhaps no stronger proof can be pre-
| scented Of this recklessness-a recklessness
which may, to certain extent, be regarded
as suicidal-than that afforded by the table show
| ing TIE deaths from external causes. BY refe-
renee to this table we find that Of the whole
number therein set down, 113 were caused by
| burns CT scalds, 157 by drowning, 62 by frac-
lures, 8 by rupture produced by falls, &C., and
20 by suflocation. There were no less than II
cases of suicide, and of poison 1Saccidental, it
is presumed.
OF the whole number of deaths, LASS are en-
tered under the head of still-born, and 434 under
that Of premature births; but it is to be feared
that large proportion Of these should be put on
the list abortions, Of which however but one is
reported as having occurred during the year 1853.
There are indeed substantial reasons for the be-
lief that many of the deaths are entered
| to the credit Of diseases by which they
were never produced. The practice which
has obtained among some physicians of
keeping the public ignorant of the actual
causes Of death is sometimes dictated by
q feeling Of delicacy, and sometimes by regard
for the deceased parties themselves; but these
are not valid reasons for their exclusion from the
records of mortality, on which they can be
placed without a violation of professional secresy
in any case.
| We are glad to see that deaths from starvation
not the tables, although it is painful to OBJ
serve that not less than four died from exposure
and neglect-a sad commentary on our benevo-
lence after all that is done by public and private
charity. OF deaths from intemperance the num-
Der was 100, or fifteen less than the mortality
from the same cause in the preceding twelve
months. There were forty-six cases of murder,
or killing, which is a little less than one every
week. The whole mortality Of the year shows
an increase of 1859 over that of 1857, and the
diseases to which this increase is attributable are
consumption, infantile commissions diarrhea, cry
sipelas, disease of the heart, hopping cough,
inflammation of the brain, inflammation of the
lungs and smallpox; while there is very ma
teral diminution in the number of deaths from
scarlet fever, infantie marasmus, teething, &C.
The table Of nativity OF the deceased shows
that 1876 were born in the United States, and
of the balance 1926 were natives of Ireland,
1855 of Germany, 40 of England, l69 of
Scotland, and lO2 of France.
The marriages during the year are set down in
the table giving the monthly returns, with the
ages, color and condition in life, at 1929, which
shows a decrease of 1877 on the returns of the
preceding twelve months. According to the re-
cord there were eight colored men married to
the same number of white women. This table is
study in itself, and although it is liable to the
same objection as the table of births, it will re-
pay any attention that may be bestowed upon
the facts therein presented.
There is one important consideration arising
from perusal of these mortuary statistics
which should not be overlooked but which
should recommend itself to the medical profess
sion generally, and to every person who takes an
interest in the health of our city. 1t is this-that
while New York should be one of the healthiest
cities in the world on account of its location,
the system of sewerage which it possesses, the
salubrity Of its climate and the purity and abun-
dance of the water with which it is supplied, its