JOHN S. FUI/TON, M. D. 



133 



newly recognized causes ; but at no time will the unknown causes 

 become contributors to the known causes otherwise than in accord- 

 ance with their previously existing and ascertainable relations of 

 time, place and frequency. In that period of life where tetanus, 

 for instance, is superior to meningitis, the term "convulsions" 

 disguises more of tetanus than of meningitis ; and, when menin- 

 gitis is superior, more of meningitis than of tetanus. Nor will 

 increasing knowledge ever require unknown causes of death to 

 give up greater numbers than so-called known causes will give 

 up, even when specific identification adds some newly discovered 

 cause to the list. 



Deaths in the Registration Area, 1908, from unknown and ill-defined causes, 

 by years, from birth to the age of 40 years. 



Deaths from "Convulsions" by single months, from birth to the age of 16 

 months. [England and Wales, 1907.] 



With reliable numerical statements, according to minor units 

 of age, it would be possible, it would be informing, and not 



