New Britain herald., 1928-11-16
AUTO Death RATE
IN STATE GROWING
Blamed for 80 Per Cent Of All
Fatal Accidents
BY GEORGE H. MANNING

By GEORGE H. MANNING
Washington Correspondent. n b. Herald)
Washington. D. c.. Nov. 16-
Automobile accidents accounted for
80 per cent of the total number of
deaths caused by accidental means
in Connecticut last year.
While there was a substantial
decrease in the death rate from
disease as well as a decline in the
rate from other accidental causes.
3 there was an increase in the rate
from automobile accidents when
figures for last year are compared
with those for the preceding year.
1851 Deaths in Year
The total number of deaths in
Connecticut last year was 16.757 as
against 1888 in 1926. The mortality
rate. based upon an estimated popu-
lation of 1.636,00O as of July l..
1927. was 1924 per 100000 Of popu-
lation. The rate for 1925 based upon
a population of 100000. was 1,140
per 100000 of population. The de-
crease in the rate therefore. was 116.
This decrease in 1927 was largely
due to decreases in death rates from
pneumonia. measles. nephritis,
tuberculosis, diarrhea and enteritis,
and whooping cough. Slight increases
in death rates from cancer were re-
ported.
Pneumonia in all its forms took
toll of 1,24S lives, or 1858 per 100,-
900 of population. last year as COM
pared with 1929 lives. or 1914 per
100000 of population, in 1926.
Deaths from influenza numbered 233,
or 14.2 per 100000 of population,
last year as against 1856, or 800. the
year before. The largest proportion
ate decrease was shown in deaths
from measles, the number of deaths
dropping from 203 in 1926 to "a
last year. The total number of
deaths from tuberculosis in all forms
dropped from 1,222 in 1926 to 1913
last year, representing a decrease in
the rate from 76.1 to $50 per 10O.-
600 of population. Nephritis caused
1907 deaths. or 93.S per 100000, in
1926 and 1862, or SS.3 per 100000,
In 1927.
Heart Disease Leads
Heart disease was the greatest
single cause of death in Connecticut.
causing 1855 deaths last year, or GO
more than In the preceding year.
There was all increase also in the
number of deaths from cancer. the
total being i,719 in 1927 and 1.66S
the year before. Decreases in the
number Of deaths were reported for
typhoid, scarlet fever, diphtheria,
dysentery, rheumatism. diabetes,
paralysis, bronchitis appendicitis
and congenital malformations and
diseases of early infancy.
No deaths were reported from
smallpox in the state for either 1925
or 1927 and only one death resulted
from malaria as compared with two
the year before.
Suicides accounted for 1856 deaths,
or ia per 100000 OF population,
last year as against PIG, or 1874 per
100000. in 1926. There we're IS
homicides In 1927 and 81 the year
before.
100: Accidental Deaths
Deaths from all accidental causes
last year totaled 1892, or 66.7 per
100000 of population. as compared
with 1,123 or 69.6 per 100000. in
1925. Automobile accidents were re-
sponsible for 1877 deaths last year, or
20 more than in 1926. Deaths from
burns decreased from 81 to ~; acct
dental shooting. from 20 to IS: acct
dental falls, from 252 to 212; rail-
roads accidents. from 81 to Al: ex-
cessive heat. from s to Z; and air
plane. balloon and motorcycle acct.
dents. from "a to %.
Deaths from drowning increased
from 80 to IFS; machinery accidents.
from II to 81: unknown acct
dental causes. 81 to 81. Twenty-siH
persons were killed in street car
accidents in 1927 and the same mum.
Der in 1926.