Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-25

fifty and over. 1t will thus be seen tina,
these maps do not assume absolute correct.
ness, but only relative differences in various
regions.
SCARLET FEVER
is the disease that leads the list. The total
number of deaths reported as due to scarlet
fever during the census year (I8s0) was
1888, of which S,lsl were males and 8, 2O7
females. The number of deaths from this
cause in 100, 900 deaths from all causes was
PIGS, or little over one-half that for 1870,
namely 4,l25 and less than one-third what ii
was in 1860, viz G,698. An examination of
the map shows that the greater part of Maine
ranks next the lowest in mortality from this
disease the minimum being from 10 to 10 in
every one thousand deaths. In quite a
broad strip extending back from the coast
and running the entire length of the State
the death rate from scarlet fever runs higher,
being between 40 and - in every 1000. On
the whole, Maine can be said to occupy a
very favorable position on the list, although
not so favorable as Texas or Idaho where
the rate falls below ten in every 1000.
MALARIA
fever has no hold in Maine or at least not
sufficient to make it matter of stati stca
record. The rate being considerably under
10 in every 1000 deaths The statistics on
DPHrHERn AND GROUP
which, says the report. 1.-THE majority of
day are disposed to consider as being, in the
main merely different names for the same
affection according As il affects more espec-
tally the mouth throat, and nose, or the
larynX and windpipe; membranous Group
being considered to be, in a great majority
Of cases, ut all events, a true diptheretic af-
lection of the larynx" The total number of
deaths reported to have been caused by these
diseases during the census year was, from
diphthcra. b, lf3, and for Group, 1866.
Diphtheria caused ) ,O39 deaths out of each
loo, 900 deaths from all causes, as against
,2SO in 1879 and 422 in 1860. The great
increase in the proportion of deaths from
diphthera in 1850 over those reported in the
preceding census years may be partly due
to the fact that physicians now report as
diphthera cases which twenty or thirty years
ago would have been returned as Group as
indicated by the fact that the proportion of
deaths from Group for the last two censuses
- E
the two preceding ones. Nevertheless, this
would account for but a small part of the in
crease. and it is certain that dphtheria has
been unusually prevalent in the northern
portions of the United States.
for several years, of which the
census year is perhaps fair average.
An examination of the shaded map shows
this to be one of the most fatal diseases
Maine people have to contend against. In
the greater part of the state the death rate
from this cause reaches the startling figure
of 100 and over out of every thousand deaths
from all causes peculiar thing about this
prevalence of diptheria in Maine is that while
it reaches this astounding high rate in the
larger portion of the state, in the strip of
territory extending back from the coast, and
which has already been referred to as show
ing the highest rate for scarlet fever, the
death rate for diphtheria is considerably
lower than elsewhere in the state being be-
tween 80 and 80 to the thousand Very little
Group is reported in Maine, the rate being
under 20 per 100
DfARRHHAL DISEASES
average between 20 aud 30 to the thousand
in the greater part of Maine, but in the coast
strip before referred to the rate is larger e.
ing between 40 and So The total number
of deaths from these causes during the CEN
sus wear was 63 .9al of which "a ,l36 were
males and 80, $50 females. They caused
: 454 deaths out of each 100000 of all deaths
reported.
ON AGE.
An examination of the map shows that
more people, in proportion to the population
die of old age in Maine than in any other
State in the Union-the rate here is over &c
in every 1000, while in majority of the
States and territories it is under 10. This
shows Maine in spite of the prevalence of
deadly diptheria, to be the healthest State
and her people the longest lived. of any in
the United States. The total number OF
deaths from old age in this country during
the last census year was l4,l6S, OF which
6,lO2 were males and s,066 were females.
It caused / ,S72 out of each 100000 deaths
from all causes reported. But by far the most
fatal disease which the people of Maine have
to contend against is consumption.
The shaded map shows that the death rate
from this cause reaches higher figure in
the Pine Tree State than in any other State
in the Union, the death rate being 1T5 and
over out of every 1000 of all deaths re-
norted. Small portions of other States
reach the same high igure-notably, strip
of the coast of California extending into
the interior 70 miles or more. The best
nlaces for consumptives to go, appear to be
Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona
Kansas. New Mexico, Texas, or Arkansas.
The total number of deaths reported as
due to consumption during the census yeaI
was 9l,270, being the greatest number re-
ported as due to any single cause OF death
OF this number 40, 5I2 were males and 30, l5s
were females. 1t is reported as causing IL
o59 in every 900 deaths from all causes
as against l4,l99 in 1870, showing desp''
the increase in our population, that this
dread disease is on the decrease in this coun