HH62/1/DUNBAR/79

Transcription

[Page] 78

SCOTLAND.

TABLE XVI. - Number of deaths from certain diseases to every 10,000 deaths from all specified causes.

[Table inserted]

[Page] 79

Condensing these tables by taking the mean of the five years,
we get the following rates:-

TABLE XVII.

Mean of the Annual Deaths from Certain Diseases to every 10,000
Deaths from all specified Causes in the Years 1885-89.

[Table inserted]

Tables XV., XVI., and XVII., form a check on Tables XII.,
XIII., and XIV. In order to avoid certain statistical fallacies, it is
better to look at the mortality from both points of view. And
the lessons taught by the former set of tables are by the latter set
confirmed in every respect.

Infant Mortality. - There is just one other statistical test
which must be applied in forming an opinion as to the health
conditions of the county. I have stated that an abnormal age
distribution of population is almost certain to falsify a death-
rate, and that in the Vale of Leven and in Row parish, there is a
large excess of female population at the healthiest ages of life, so
that the all-age mortality, or "crude" death-rate, is considerably
lowered thereby. Moreover, insanitary conditions connected with
dwelling-houses have a greater effect on the infant population
than on adults. And where mothers are, to any appreciable
extent, employed at work which prevents them from nursing their
own babies, the infant mortality is augmented. It will be necessary,
therefore, to see whether the low general death-rate which prevails
in the small town districts extends to the infant population. For
this purpose a new statistical standard has to be set up - that,

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

valrsl- Moderator, CorrieBuidhe- Moderator