The preceding tables, together with table IX. on page xcv, are full of interest. We shall endeavor to draw from them such information concerning the more prominent diseases as may be readily referred to hereafter.

Diphtheria. This much dreaded disease, unknown or unrecog nized among us until within a few years, and from which the mortality was very considerable in 1863 and 1864, seems to be abating its ravages. The whole number of deaths from this cause. in 1865, was 672, being about half the average of the two preceding years. Cases are reported at all ages, but one-half (50·44 per cent.) occurred under five years, and more than three-quarters (77.67 per cent.) under ten years of age. The greatest mortality was in January (12.20 per cent.,) October (10.72 per cent.) and November (10.27 per cent. ;) and the least in July (4.61 per cent.) A continuous decline of percentage is observed from January to July. Essex County suffered most, reporting 179 deaths, being 26-6 per cent. of the whole number of deaths from this cause for the State, and 4.87 per cent. of all specified causes for the county. The other counties show a pretty even distribution. Suffolk County, as in previous years, reports but a small proportion of deaths from diphtheria; one per cent. of all specified diseases.

Dysentery. The mortality from this cause has been unusual, 5.88 per cent. of the whole. This exceeds the average of the past twenty-four years and eight months by 76 per cent. The percentage to all specified causes of death varies greatly in the counties. Berkshire and Hampshire each 9 per cent.; Essex and Bristol, each 8 per cent., are highest. Barnstable (4.3,) Middlesex (3.8,) and Suffolk (3.2) are lowest.

Eighty-eight per cent. of the whole number of deaths occurred in July, August, September and October, although cases are reported in each month; 53.81 per cent. were under five years of age. The average percentage under five years for eleven years past was 60.74. A similar difference was remarked in 1864; 52.44 per cent. under five years, while the average for ten years was 62.10. The increased percentage in both years is found in the ages between five and twenty, and in advanced life. No cause for this is apparent.

Typhus has shown like dysentery an unusual virulence. One thousand six hundred and ninety-four deaths is a larger number than we find previously recorded, and exceeds by 85 per cent. the average percentage of this disease among all deaths for the past twenty-four years and eight months. The numbers are almost equally divided between the sexes, which is unusual, the males generally predominating. The greatest mortality was in Franklin County, 14 per cent. of all deaths; next Berkshire, (13.4,) Barnstable, (9.3,) Hampshire, (9,) Plymouth, (9,) Hampden, (8.6,) Worcester, (8·4,) Bristol, (7·2,) Essex, (6,) Norfolk, (47) Middlesex, (4·6,) Suffolk, (3.1.) The large cities and towns have evidently suffered comparatively little. The low percentage of Suffolk County, both in this disease and dysentery, is worthy of careful remark.

As regards ages, the greatest number of deaths was, as in all previous years, between 20 and 30; next between 15 and 20; next between 30 and 40. Very nearly one-half (49 per cent.) of the whole number of deaths occurred in the three months of autumn. This shows a peculiar activity of the fever poison at that season, when it prevailed epidemically, and to this influence is to be ascribed the unusual fatality of the disease in the yearly account.

Measles. Only 136 fatal cases are reported. This is 52 per cent. of deaths from all causes, and 43 per cent. less than the average for twenty-four years and eight months. Fifty-seven cases, or 42 per cent. of the whole occurred in. Worcester County, 28 in Suffolk, and 17 in Essex. Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket Counties escaped entirely, while Berkshire and Hampshire report but one each.

One hundred and eighteen (87 per cent.) occurred under five years of age. One is reported between 60 and 70, and one between 70 and 80. Forty-nine deaths, 37 per cent. of the whole number, occurred in July and August.

Scarlatina. The whole number of deaths was only 807; 368 males and 439 females: an unusual predominance of the latter. The percentage to all deaths was 3.06 per cent. Last year it was 5.21 per cent., and the average for a quarter of a century 4.50 per cent. In Dukes and Nantucket, however, it prevailed exten

sively. Instead of five in 1864 and one in 1863, 53 fatal cases are reported in those counties in 1865, making 27 per cent. of all deaths.

In this connection we may remark that the mortality record for Nantucket and Dukes this year shows 32 deaths from old age and 25 from consumption. Thus to these three causes 56 per cent. of all deaths are assigned. The distribution of scarlatina through the other counties is not remarkable, except that Hampden reports only 7 and Hampshire only 6 deaths from this cause.

Four hundred and eighty-seven (or 60 per cent. of the whole number) were under five years of age; 222 (or 27.5 per cent.) were between 5 and 10; 56 (or 7 per cent.) between 10 and 15; 23 (or 3 per cent.) between 15 and 20; and 19 (or 2.5 per cent.) at greater ages, one being reported over 80, and five above 50.

Seventy-three per cent. of all cases occurred in the first half, and 27 per cent. in the last half of the year; the greatest number (133,) being in February, and thence pretty steadily declining until December.

Erysipelas.-Under this head is included phlebitis. Eightyseven males and 69 females are reported to have died from these causes. The percentage to all deaths is 59 per cent.; somewhat less than the average. Suffolk County furnishes the largest share, 40, or 25 per cent. of the whole. Next in order is Middlesex, 31, or 20 per cent. of the whole. Franklin and Barnstable report but two each.

Forty-two cases occurred under 5, and 67 above 50 years of age, leaving only 47 between the ages of 5 and 50:

More than half the deaths (107,) took place in the first half of the year. The greatest number (25,) was in March; the least (5,) in September.

Croup.-Five hundred and four deaths are reported; 256 males and 248 females. This disease was less prevalent than usual, the percentage to all deaths being 1.91 per cent., which is 45 less than the average for twenty-four years and eight months. It is also 52 per cent. less than the average for the previous four years, and a comparison with this latter period seems of more value since it is only recently that the differential diagnosis between croup and diphtheria has been made. Even now, it is

exceeding probable that many cases of these two diseases are confounded. All the counties report cases, and in proportionate numbers, not calling for special remark.

Four hundred and thirty-one cases (85 per cent. of the whole,) occurred under 5 years of age; 67 (13 per cent. of the whole,) between 5 and 10 years; two of the remaining six cases, one between 30 and 40, and one over 80 years of age, should evidently be classed with some other affection, probably diphtheria.

As regards season, it appears that 168 cases occurred in the first quarter, 88 in the second, 70 in the third, and 178 in the fourth quarter of the year. The two middle quarters give 158 cases (31 per cent. of the whole,) and the two extreme quarters 346 cases (69 per cent. of the whole.)

Cholera Infantum.-There were 1,154 deaths from this cause; 594 males, 557 females, and three of sex not reported. The percentage to all deaths was 4.38, which corresponds very nearly with the percentage of the past five years, but exceeds the average for twenty-four years and eight months, by 1-21.

Although deaths are reported in every month, 1,094 (95 per cent. of the whole,) occurred in five months, June to October inclusive. The greatest number (381,) was in August. The percentage to all deaths in different counties stands as follows: Barnstable, 8, Berkshire, 1, Bristol, 4.1, Dukes and Nantucket, 2.5, Essex, 4.2, Franklin, 4, Hampden, 4.3, Hampshire, 31, Middlesex, 54, Norfolk, 5.2, Plymouth, 3.2, Suffolk, 5·1, Worcester, 4.4. As usual, the counties containing large towns and cities suffered most, but the distribution is more equal than has generally been observed in previous years.

Teething-Under this very indefinite head, are classed 315 deaths, with a slight excess of females; 63 per cent. of the whole took place in July, August, September and October, doubtless from a combination with the disease last considered.

Consumption. The number of deaths in 1865 was 4,661; 2,126 males and 2,533 females, and two not stated; 45.63 per cent. of males and 54.37 per cent. of females, or in the proportion of 100 males to 119 females. The percentage of deaths from consumption to deaths from all causes was 17.69. Large as this

seems, it is still less by 2.90 per cent. than the average for twentyfour years and eight months. It is 21 per cent. larger than the average for the past five years. The mortality in the

First quarter was 1,231 or 26.5 per cent. of the whole.

The order of fatality by months stands thus: March, 458, May, 433, February, 411, October, 410, August, 403, April, 399. The least fatal month was July, 332. The general uniformity with which this disease carries off its victims in all the months, is in strong contrast with those we have already reviewed. Divided by seasons, the deaths were, in

The order of fatality stands summer, winter, spring, autumn; which is unusual, spring generally heading the list.

As regards age, we find that 6.56 per cent. of the whole number were under five years. Doubtless most of these would have been more properly placed under some other head. From 5 to 15 years, only 3.53 per cent. are reported. From this point there is a rapid increase; 8.54 per cent. in the half decade from 15 to 20. The greatest mortality is between 20 and 30, amounting to 26.35 per cent. After 30, a pretty regular decrease of percentage follows through all the ages.

The counties stand as follows in the percentage of deaths from consumption to deaths from all specified causes :—