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total, were persons of 5 years of age or less. 

 A supplementary count showed that 81 of these 

 were persons less than 1 year old. The ages 11 

 to 20 (10 to 19, American style) appear to be 

 the safest, followed by a rise in deaths during 

 the years 21 to 35. The death rate is lower 

 during the years 36 to 55, highest of all during 

 the years 56-60, and remains high during all 

 later years. 



The reader must be reminded that the ages 

 put down on death certificates are no more ac- 

 curate than those given at any other time. Hence, 

 all these figures must be studied with certain 

 reservations. 



Table 51 shows the principal recorded causes 

 of death in relationship to age categories. Since 

 most deaths occurred without competent medi- 

 cal diagnosis, the causes of death given in the 

 municipal records are of relatively slight value 

 from the standpoint of precise study. Never- 

 theless, in terms of general categories of dis- 

 ease, the worst killers can be spotted. Dysentery 

 is the most prevalent cause of death of children 

 under 5 years of age, followed by bronchitis or 

 other forms of respiratory infections. The un- 

 definable bilis and whooping cough, about which 

 there should be little doubt, are also common 

 killers. Fiebre, typhus and typhoid, is no re- 

 specter of age, and accounts for about one-eighth 

 of all deaths. Agotamiento ("exhaustion") is 

 the most commonly stated cause of death among 

 older people. Probably a good many of the 

 ailments of old age are included in this cate- 

 gory. An occasional cancer is recognized as a 

 tumor, and rarely mention is made of a heart 

 condition. Pneumonia is probably correct as 

 the diagnosis for most deaths of adults so re- 

 corded. Smallpox and malaria occur, but are 

 not particularly prevalent. Traveling public 

 health nurses have vaccinated most adults and 

 a great many children. The percentage of per- 

 sons dying violent deaths is perhaps a bit lower 

 than the average for all Mexico, though this 

 admittedly is an impressionistic statement. No 

 death is ever recorded without at least a guess 

 as to the cause. 



