412 



VITAL STATISTICS. 



The following abstract exhibits the relative mortality from each class of 

 diseases in the total population during the six registration years : 



In the 1st Class, Measles, Influenza and Whooping Cough are most fatal 

 to negroes, and also "fever," which, however, is too vague a term to mean 

 any disease in particular. Of Diphtheria, a zymotic which has been very 

 prevalent in the Northern States, we have but three deaths recorded in 

 1859, all in negroes, two being. under 10 years, and the other one of un- 

 known age. 



The second class in order of mortality, is always Class IV., comprising 

 the diseases of the Respiratory Organs, at the head of which stands Pneu- 

 monia, giving 10.41 per cent, of all deaths from known causes. In negroes 

 the percentage is 10 26, but in whites only 7.86, The greater number 

 occurred in February, nearly half being under 10 years of age, and there 

 beins: 436 males to 304 females. 



Consumption comes next, killing 6.85 per cent, in Avhites, and 3.94 per 

 cent, in negroes, the month of July, and the period between 30 and 40 

 years of age showing the highest mortality, there being a considerable 

 excess of females in both races. Croup destro3'ed 150 children and 1 negro 

 Ayoman, the latter between 30 and 40 years of age. It is almost twice as 

 fatal to whites as to negroes. The largest number of deaths were in the 

 month of November, all but fifteen of the whole being under five ydars, 

 and only fourteen between five and ten years of age. 



In Class VI., which is the fourth in fatality, the principal causes are 

 Teething, Worms, and indefinite " diseases of the bowels," all of which 

 claim the most victims in young negroes. Whites die in larger numbers 



