98 THE SANITARY CONDITION OF ESSEX.
During recent years Diphtheria and Whooping Cough have
caused a larger proportion of deaths in Essex than in any other
county. The mortality from all the zymotic diseases is seen to be
much higher than in any of the surrounding counties, and for this
the southern districts are almost entirely responsible.
The mortality amongst infants, children and young adults is also
excessive, but this is probably due to the fact that nearly half the
population of the county reside in the West Ham District and the
Death-rate amongst the young in such crowded localities is always
high.
The Registrar-General's returns for 1889 shew a slightly increased
death-rate for the county generally (17'9 in 1889 against 17'8 for
1888) but in Essex the death-rates are lower than in 1888 and much
below the average for the previous ten years. The zymotic mortality
is particularly low. The subjoined table has reference to the year
1889. Some of the figures must be received with caution, as the
exact population of such registration districts as West Ham and
Orsett is not at present known. The effect of the County Asylum
upon the Billericay death-rate must also be remembered :—