208 Weather and Natural History Notes. 



death-rates were low were months which were characterised bv 

 a fairly high barometer, the average of the readings being in 

 each case above the yearly mean. The high barometer is usually 

 indicative of favourable and settled weather. They also with 

 the exception of October showed a fairly high mean temperature,. 

 Both of these are certainly favourable to a low death-rate. Of 

 the four months with high death-rates April showed a barometric 

 pressure about average, a low mean temperature, " intense cold 

 being sometimes experienced during the day," and a comparatively 

 high rainfall. The barometer in September was a little above the 

 yearly mean ; the earlier part of the month was fine and wann, but 

 the latter part cool, changeable, and showerv, and the mean tem- 

 perature was considerably below its average. Usually this month 

 exhibits the lowest death-rate of the vear, but in 1911 it changed 

 places in this respect with August. November and December were 

 both unsettled months with low barometric readings and high 

 rainfalls. Though the temperature of November was about 

 nonnal, and that of December considerably above, the wet and 

 unsettled weather seems to have been a prolific cause of catarrhs 

 and chills, and the fatalities from such diseases as pneumonia, 

 bronchitis, and whooping-cough were particularly high, more 

 especially in December, when they were at their maximum, the 

 combined rates amounting to 6.85 per 1000. The next highest 

 combined rate (4.07) was in April, and both months contrast 

 greatly in this respect with July and August, when the combined 

 death-rates from these causes were considerablv below one per 

 1000. 



With regard to other causes of death those from scarlet 

 fever, diphtheria, measles, and septic diseases were low. The 

 pulmonary phthisis rate was also favourable, though it does not 

 show any decrease on that of 1910, when it was 1.1 per 1000. 

 Its course during the year was remarkable, being at its highe.st 

 in January and October, next highest in April, and at its lowest 

 in November, when it was very low indeed (0.2). The malignant 

 disease death-rate was fairly high, especially in the month of 

 April. Circulatory disease mortality was at its maximum in 

 May, next highest in April, and at its minimum in March. 

 Apoplectic diseases were most fatal in April, least so in August. 

 Of other diseases subject to seasonal influences the diarrhoeal 

 and digestive do not show high death-rates. The diarrhoeal 



