152 Hi. R. Storer on ithe decreasing increase 
In Massachusetts, the ratio of premature births to those at the 
full time, as recorded in the registration reports, during the pe- 
riod from 1850-56, was 1 to 26-1. 
at the ratio of still births and abortions, res so fright 
ful, is steadily i pre | is also seen by the wing table; in 
ich we have compared the still births, palin ce perhaps of 
pabicberite vale, wi the general mortality, whose value is at 
t as accidental. 
TaBLeE X.—Ratio of the Fetal to the general mortality in New York.* 
Total deaths, Fetal deaths. Ratio, 
13,128 349 1 to 87°6 
1809-15 14,011 1 to 26:3 
1815-25 34,79 1,818 L-to 19°1 
1825-35 59,347 3,744 1 to 158 
1835-55 289,786 21,702 1 to 13°3 
1856 1,65. 1,943 we 
In 1851, the ratio of foetal deaths in Massachusetts to the gen- 
eral mortality was 1 to 133; in 1855, 1 to 10-4, larger than in 
New York city a year later. In a metropolis we should expect 
the proportion to be greater than in a state at large; itis here less. 
Finally we compare the recorded pees still births of 
New ee Satay seg still at the full tim 
In n years from 1838-55, there were reported 
ki, 237 auill SP at the full time, and 2,710 still prematurely ; 
the last bearing the proportion of 1 to 63. 
In the nine years from 1838-47, omitting 1842 for the reason 
that the reports to the Registrar for that year were confessedly 
imperfect, there were 632 still premature births, and 6,445 sti 
at the full time; a yearly average o 10°2. 
In the eight years fr from 1848-55, there were 2,078 premature 
still births, and 10,792 stil at the full time : an average of 1 to 5; 
while in 1856, there were 387 still prematurely, and 1,556 at the 
full time; or ‘1 to 4:02! 
On the other bind, there were recorded in Massachusetts dur- 
ing the 14 years and g months preceding 1855, 4,570 still births 
and 11,716 premature births and abortions,+ the ratio being 
abortion to °3 still births; or in other words it would appear 
from the statistics quoted, that the comparative frequency of 
abortions in Massachusetts is 13 times as great as in the wors rst 
statistics of the city of New York! 
Weare willing however, we rejoice, to modify this statement, 
as in the earliest of the years quoted, returns from the city of 
ton seem to have been imperfect or wanting. We therefore 
confine ourselves to a more teh t period. 
From 1850-55, the registration being much more aceurate 
than before, and its pes Scan chled with the greatest care, three 
Inspector's Reports for 1855-6. 
¢ 14th pari ioe : 
