CONSUMPTION IN RHODE ISLAND.* 
The number of deaths caused by consumption, in 1881, was 70G. 
This is much the largest number ever reported in Rhode Island in 
any single year. 
Although the number is considerably larger than in any previous 
year, the proportion to the whole number of deaths, from given causes, 
is less than in many previous years, as may be seen in Table LIV. 
The average annual proportion during a period of twenty years, pre- 
vious to 1880, was 1G.84 per cent. The proportion in L881 was 15.12 
per cent. 
Sex.—Of the 706 deaths from consumption, in 1881, 308 were males, 
and 398 were females. There were 129 female decedents to each 100 
male decedents; or 43.6 males, and 5G.4 females in each 100 decedents. 
There are, in every year, a considerably larger number of female 
decedents, from consumption, than of male decedents. 
During the ten years from 1872 to 1881, inclusive, the number of 
reported deaths from consumption, in Rhode Island, was 6,333. Of 
this number 2,792 were males, and 3,541 were females. 
There were, therefore, 127 females to each 100 male decedents; or 
44.1 males and 55.9 females in each 100 decedents. 
Parentage.—Of the 706 decedents from consumption, in 1881, 277 
were of American parentage, and 429 of foreign parentage. 
The proportions were 155 of foreign to each 100 of American 
parentage; or 39.2 decedents of American parentage, and 60.8 dece- 
dents of foreign, in each 100. 
The proportion of foreign parentage is much larger than ever 
previously reported. 
During the ten years from 1872 to 1881, inclusive, the whole num- 
ber of deaths from consumption, as reported, was 6,333. Of this 
number 2,963 were of American, and 3,370 were of foreign parentage. 
The proportions were, therefore, as follows: 113.7 of foreign paren- 
tage to each 100 of American; or 46.8 of American parentage, and 
53.2 of foreign in each 100 decedents. -' 
* Extract from 29 Registration Report, R. I. C. H. FreiiER, M. D. 2 
TWENTY-NINTII REGISTRATION REPORT. 
[1881. 
During the five years from 1877 to 1881, inclusive, the whole num- 
ber of deaths from consumption was 3,322. Of that number 1,434 
were of American, and 1,888 were of foreign parentage. 
There were 132 decedents of foreign parentage to each 100 of 
American; or 43.2 American, and 56.8 foreign in each 100 decedents. 
Seasoti.—During the year 1881 the largest number of deaths from 
consumption, in any quarterly period, occurred in the third quarter. 
This circumstance is not in accordance with the rule of many years. 
The following summary will show the number in each quarterly 
period: 
First Quarter 
175 
Second Quarter 
182 
Third Quarter 
Total 
194 
Fourth Quarter 
....706 
Contrary to rule, also, was the occurrence of the largest monthly 
number of deaths in August. Following August in the order of 
largest mortality were January, May, March, April and July. 
In 1881, 377, or more than 53 per cent, of the whole number of 
deaths from consumption, were of persons between twenty and forty 
years of age. In order to show more concisely the relation of age to 
mortality, the following synopsis is presented: 
Age. 
No. of Deaths 
Under 10 years of age 
32 
Between 10 and 20 years 
84 
Between 20 and 30 years 
235 
Between 30 and 40 years 
142 
Between 40 and 50 years 
Between 50 and 70 years 
106 
Over 70 years 
31 
Total 
706 
The distribution of mortality from consumption,'in the different 
sections of the State, is very unequal, not only in the percentage to 
the whole number of deaths in each section, but also in proportion to 
the population. 
The following Table shows the total deaths from all reported known 
causes, with the number and percentage of deaths from consumption, 
in each of the larger divisions of the State, and in the whole State, 
in each of the last sixteen years, and in the aggregate for a period of 
twenty years, from 1860 to 1879 inclusive: CONSUMPTION. 
3 
COUNTIES. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
Total 20 years. 
1860-1879. 
Bristol County. 
Total Deaths 
162 
144 
129 
165 
146 
150 
184 
173 
159 
162 
148 
201 
187 
141 
209 
203 
3,144 
Consumption 
31 
18 
21 
26 
26 
16 
23 
16 
18 
21 
19 
27 
23 
16 
19 
25 
423 
Percentage 
19.13 
12.50 
16.28 
15.76 
17.81 
10.67 
12.50 
9.24 
11.32 
12.97 
12.83 
13.43 
12.30 
11.35 
9.09 
12.31 
13.45 
Kent County. 
Total Deaths 
198 
214 
168 
265 
238 
281 
248 
241 
252 
263 
209 
251 
249 
277 
293 
313 
4,761 
Consumption 
41 
56 
38 
50 
46 
63 
33 
42 
32 
43 
28 
42 
41 
38 
45 
36 
870 
Percentage 
20.70 
26.17 
22.62 
18.86 
19.33 
22.42 
13.30 
17.43 
12.69 
16.35 
13.39 
16.73 
16.47 
13.72 
15.35 
11.20 
18.28 
Newport County. 
Total Deaths 
342 
302 
289 
259 
271 
214 
262 
366 
221 
277 
280 
243 
265 
330 
324 
346 
6,017 
Consumption 
52 
47 
43 
40 
37 
23 
29 
44 
26 
41 
45 
33 
31 
.45 
34 
51 
857 
Percentage 
15.18 
15.56 
14.88 
15.44 
13.66 
10.75 
11.06 
12.02 
11.77 
14.80 
16.07 
13.58 
11.69 
13.64 
10 49 
14.74 
14.24 
Providence County, Towns. 
Total Deaths 
883 
902 
779 
912 
964 
989 
1,331 
1,389 
1,217 
1,230 
1,110 1,391 
1,308 
1,233 
1,437 
1,451 
20,385 
Consumption 
171 
210 
158 
180 
172 
195 
221 
197 
139 
201 
211 
222 
229 
197 
189 
220 
3,661 
Percentage 
19.36 
23 28 
20.29 19.74 
17.84 
19 72 
16.73 
14.18 
11.42 16.3419.01 
15.96 
17.51 
15.98 
15.35 
15.16 
17.95 
Table LIV.—CONSUMPTION.—Number and Percentage. 4 
TWENTY-NINTII REGISTRATION REPORT. 
[1881. 
COUNTIES. 
18G6. 
1867. 
1868. 1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 1866. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 1880. 1881. 
Total SOyears. 
1860-1879. 
Providence City. 
Total Deaths 
1,013 
945 1,086 1,240 
1,249 
1,239 
1,581 
1,725 
1,965 
1,894 1,850 1,932 
1,973 2,017 2,063 2,130 
28,194 
Consumption 
200 
189 
214 210 
238 
195 
242 
230 
270 
297 
284 
294 
305 
293 322 .344 
4,649 
Percentage 
19.74 
20.00 
19.71 16.95 
19.06 
15.74 
15.31 
13.33 13.74 15.68 
15.35 
15.22 
15.46 
14.53 15.60 16.15 
16.49 
Washington County. 
Total Deaths 
201 
187 
173 241 
233 
222 
265 
292 
263 
284 
306 
240 
249 
220 270 226 
4,513 
Consumption 
28 
39 
38 43 
56 
35 
49 
51 
44 
47 
68 
43 
47 
48 33 30 
861 
Percentage . 
13.93 
20.86 
21.96 17.84 24,04 15.76 
18.49 
17.47 
16.73 16.55 
22.22 
17.91 
18.88 
21.82 12.22 13.27 
19.08 
Whole State. 
Total Deaths 
2,799 
2,694 
2,624 3,082 3,101 3,095 
3,871 
4,186 
4,077 
4,110 
3,903 
4,258 4,231 4,218 4,596 4,669 
67,214 
Consumption 
523 
559 
512 549 
475 
527 
597 
580 
529 
650 
655 
661 
676 
637 642 706 
11,321 
Percentage 
18.68 20.74 
19.51 17.81 18.5217.03 
1 
15.41 
13.86 
12.96 15.79 16.78 
15.52 15.98 15.10 14.02 15.12 
III, 
16.84 
Table LIV.—CONSUMPTION.—Number and Percentage. — Continued. CONSUMPTION. 
5 
The changes that occur from year to year, in the different divisions 
of the State, in regard to the number of specified causes of death, 
and the number and percentage from consumption, are concisely 
shown in Table LIV. 
The proportion of deaths from consumption, during 1881, to all 
deaths from given causes, was less in every division of the State, with 
the exception of Newport county, than the average during the period 
of twenty years. 
In comparison with the previous year, there were various changes. 
In Bristol county the proportion was 12.31 per cent., as against 
9.09 per cent, in 1880. In 18GG the proportion in this county was 
19.13 per cent. The average of twenty years was 13.45 per cent. 
Kent county reports the lowest proportion, in 1881, that was ever 
recorded. The ratio was 11.20 per cent., which is less than two- 
thirds the average proportion of twenty years. In 18G8 and 1871 the 
proportions were more than twice as large. 
Newport county presents a percentage slightly in excess of the 
average of twenty years. The ratio was 14.74 per cent,, as against 
10.49 per cent, in 1880. 
Providence county towns show a proportion of 15.16 per cent., as 
against 17.95 per cent, for the twenty year period. In 1867 the ratio 
was 23.28 per cent. 
Providence city shows the least variation of any section presented 
in Table LIV. In 1881, however, the percentage was larger than in 
any year since 1870. But the ratio of 1881, which was 16.15 per 
cent., is less than the average of twenty years. During the five years 
preceding 1871 the average proportion was 19.09 per cent. During 
the ten years from 1872 to 1881 inclusive, the proportion was 15.03 
per cent. 
Washington county has usually a large percentage of mortality 
from consumption, but during the last two years the proportion has 
greatly lessened. The lessened ratio has not been made by a larger 
number of deaths from other causes, but from a largely diminished 
number of deaths from consumption. 
During the ten years from 1870 to 1879, inclusive, the number of 
deaths from consumption, in Washington county, was 488, or an 
annual average of about 49. 
In 1880 the number was 33, and in 1881 the number was 30. 
The proportion in 1881 was 13.27 per cent., and the proportion 
during twenty years previous to 1880 was 19.08 per cent. 
There has also been a gradually lessening proportion of deaths from 
consumption in the whole State, during the last quarter of a century. 
The iluctuations of percentage one year with another, during the 
period of diminishing proportions, have been small in degree. 6 
twenty-ninth registration report. 
[1881. 
During the ten years from 1802 to 1871, inclusive, the average 
annual proportion of deaths from consumption was 18.33 per cent. 
During the ten years from 1872 to 1881, inclusive, the average 
annual proportion was 15.05 per cent. 
It will be noticed that the proportion of the whole State, 15.12 per 
cent., is less than that of the period of twenty years. 
CONSUMPTION. PROPORTION OF DEATHS TO POPULATION. 
It will be understood that the preceding remarks have been in 
relation to the proportion of deaths from consumption, to the whole 
number of deaths from all specified causes. 
It may be of interest to ascertain the proportion of deaths from 
consumption, to the population, in the different divisions of the State. 
The results of 1879, 1880 and 1881 are based on the enumeration of 
the United States census of 1880. 
The results of the long period of nineteen years, and the periods of 
five years each, are based on the semi-decennial enumerations of 
population, by the State and National censuses. 
1879. 
Total Deaths 
Of population 
Of the 
from Consumption. 
one in every 
population. 
Bristol County 
16 
712 
or.... 
1.40 in each 1,000 
Kent County 
38 
542... 
or 
1.84 in each 1,000 
Newport County 
45 
...538 
1.86 in each 1,000 
Providence County, 
Towns 197 
473 
Providence City.... 
293 
358 
.. .or 
Washington County 
48..... 
470 
1380. 
Total Deaths 
Of population 
Of the 
from Consumption. 
one in every 
population. 
Bristol County 
19 .. 
599 
Kent County 
45 
458 
2.18 in each 1,000 
Newport County 
34 
711 
Providence County 
Towns 189 
2.03 in each 1,000 
Providence City 
322 
... .3.07 in each 1,000 
Washington County. 
33 
081 
1.50 in each 1,000 CONSUMPTION. 
7 
1881. 
Total Deaths 
Of population 
Of the 
from Consumption. 
one in every 
Population. 
Bristol County 
25 
456 
Kent County 
36 
572 
... 1.75 in each 1,000 
Newport Countv 
51 
470 
... 2.12 in each 1,000 
Providence County, Towns 220 
423 
Providence City 
344 
305 
.. .or 
Washington County... 
30 
State 
706 
391 
18G0-1878. 
NINETEEN YEARS. 
Bristol County 
Yearly average. 
No. of deaths. 
Consumption. 
21.4 
43.8 
Yearly average. 
Of population 
one in every 
442 
Of the 
population. 
Newport County 
42.7..'. 
492 
or 
2.03 in each 1,000 
Providence County, Towns .182.3 
Providence City 
229.0 
Washington County 
42.0 
or 
... 2.21 in eacli 1,000 
5 years, 
5 years, 
5 years, 
3 years, 
1865-1869. 
1870-1874. 
1875-1879. 
1879-1881. 
Of population 
Of population 
Of population 
Of population 
one in every 
one in every 
one in every 
one in every 
Bristol County 
368 
471 
525 
569 
Kent County 
340 
432 
514 
Newport County 
440 
626 
576 
Providence County, Towns 370 
434 
397 
Providence City 
247 
282 
342 
328 
Washington County 
461 
427 
608 
State 
344 
386 
396 
418 
The changes that occur, from year to year, in the proportion of the 
deaths from consumption to the population of the different divisions 
of the State, are very clearly shown in the summaries of the three 
single years, that is, 1879, 1880 and 1881. 
Thus it will be seen that Bristol county varied from one death by 
consumption in every 712 of the population, in 1879, to one in every 
599 in 1880, and one in every 456 in 1881. Kent county varied from 8 
TVVENTY-NINTII REGISTRATION REPORT. 
[1881. 
one in every 542, in 1879, to one in 458 in 1880, and one in every 572 
in 1881. It is evident that the results of single years are quite 
inconclusive, as regards the relative or absolute liability to consump- 
tion, of any division or population of the State. 
But the proportions to population, as ascertained by the averages 
of a series of years, afford conclusions which, if not absolutely exact, 
are, at least, very closely approximate thereto. 
In comparing the proportions of one division with another, there is 
a possibility of small error from the difference of movements in the 
population of the divisions, that is, the rapidity of increase or decrease 
of population. 
In each of the five year periods the proportions are slightly larger 
than the actual population would warrant, the proportions being based 
upon the population according to the semi decennial enumerations of 
the years, with which each of the periods commenced. 
CONSUMPTION. PROPORTION TO POPULATION BY PARENTAGE. 
On a previous page, there were given the proportions of death from 
consumption in the two general classes of parentage; that is, Ameri- 
can and foreign. The proportions there given and the comparisons 
made, were of the absolute number of deaths in each class from con- 
sumption, in relation to the combined or total population. 
It is now proposed to give the proportions of mortality from con- 
sumption, in each class of parentage, in relation to the separate 
population of each. 
The proportions are given for three periods of five years each, 
extending from 1865 to 1879 inclusive; and one period of two years, 
1880 and 1881; and are based on the population of each class at the 
commencement of each period. 
Persons who were the children of mixed marriages (i. e. American 
father and foreign mother, or vice versa) are classed with the parentage 
of the fathers. 
Deaths, by parentage, did not have separate consideration in the 
general reports previous to 1865. 
The populations of the two classes, at the commencement of the 
periods taken, were respectively as follows: 
1865. 
1870. 
1875. 
1880. 
American Parentage 
117,316 
124,591 
134,722 
139.117 
Foreign Parentage 
... . 67,649 
92,762 
123,517 
137,414 
The number of deaths from consumption in each class of population 
respectively, in each term of years, were as follows: CONSUMPTION. 
9 
1865-1869. 
1870-1874. 
1875-1879. 
1880-1881. 
No. deaths from 
No. deaths from 
No. deaths from 
No. deaths from 
Consumption. 
Consumption. 
Consumption. 
Consumption. 
American Parentage 1,575 
1,507 
1,499 
564 
Foreign Parentage 1,114 
1,301 
1,780.. 
784 
The following summary will show the mortality from consumption 
in each class, in proportion to the population of each: 
5 years, 
5 years, 
5 years, 
2 years, 
1865-1869. 
1870-1874. 
1875-1879. 
1880-1881. 
DEATHS FROM 
CONSUMPTION 
Of population. 
One in every 
One in every 
One in every 
One in every 
Of American Parentage 
372 
413 
449 ... 
493 
Of Foreign Parentage 
303 
356 
347 
351 
It will not fail to be observed how regularly the proportions of 
mortality from consumption, in the population of American parentage, 
have diminished during the last seventeen years. It will also be 
observed that the proportions of mortality from consumption, in the 
population of foreign parentage, diminished from the first to the 
second period, since which time the proportions in that population 
have not materially changed. 
The variations of the proportions of the mortality from consump- 
tion, in the two classes of population, may be presented in a different 
and perhaps clearer way, as follows: 
5 years, 
5 years, 
5 years. 
2 years, 
1865-1869. 
1870-1874. 
. 1875-1879. 
1880-1881. 
NUMBER OF DEATHS 
FROM CONSUMPTION 
Of population. in each 10,000. 
in each 10,000. 
in each 10,000. 
in each 10,000. 
Of American Parentage 26.8 
24.2 . 
22.3 
20.2 
Of Foreign Parentage 33.0 
28.1 
26.0 
28.5 
Total Population 29.1 
From the above statistics the inference is unavoidable that consump- 
tion, as a cause of death in Rhode Island, lias gradually diminished 
since 1865. The facts shown by the statistics reasonably warrant the 
following conclusions: 
1. That consumption, in the total population of Rhode Island, 
has gradually lessened in frequency of occurrence, or that medical 
treatment has been more successful in its cure. 
2. That the lessened frequency, or more successful treatment of 
consumption, has been confined almost exclusively to the population 
of American parentage. 10 
TWENTY-NINTH REGISTRATION REPORT. 
[1881. 
3. That the proportion of mortality from consumption has always 
been larger, in the population of foreign parentage. 
4. That the mortality from consumption, in the class of foreign 
parentage, has not diminished in proportion to the population of the 
same parentage, during the last twelve years. 
The following extract, from the late report of the city registrar of 
Providence, presents statistics and remarks, in respect to mortality 
from consumption in that city, quite in conformity with the foregoing: 
“But the true rate of mortality from consumption, in the two classes 
of the population, is best shown by a direct comparison of the number 
of deaths with the actual population. At four different periods, in 
Providence, we have had censuses showing the parentage of the 
population; and at the same periods we have had full and accurate 
reports of the decedents from consumption, by parentage. Taking 
these periods, and comparing the decedents from consumption by 
parentage with the population by parentage, we find the following 
results for the city of Providence: 
Population of American parentage. 
1856 One death from consumption in 268.2. 
1865 One death from consumption in 310.1. 
1875 One death from consumption in 415.0. 
1880 One death from consumption in 435.2. 
Population of Foreign parentage. 
1856 One death from consumption in 262.6. 
1865 One death from consumption in 248.8. 
1875 One death from consumption in 288.4. 
1880 One death from consumption in 268.0. 
Total population. 
1856 One death from consumption in 266. 
1865 One death from consumption in 280. 
1875 One death from consumption in 336. 
1880 One death from consumption in 326. 
These figures show the following important facts: 
1. In the population of American parentage in Providence there 
has been a very remarkable change in the mortality from consump- 
tion, during the last twenty-five years. In 1856 there was, in this 
population, one death from consumption in 268.2; in 1880 there was 
only one death in 435.2. This decrease, as seen from the figures, has 
been continuous during the whole period. CONSUMPTION. 
11 
2. In the population of foreign parentage, in Providence, the rate 
of mortality from consumption has changed only very slightly in the 
last twenty-five years. In 1856 the rate was one death in 262.6 of 
the population; in 1880 it was one in 268.0; and during this time it 
has been both slightly higher and lower than these rates. The rate 
of mortality from consumption, among the population of foreign 
parentage, in 1880, was almost precisely the same as the rate in the 
population of American parentage in 1856.” 
CONSUMPTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
Consumption as a cause of death has, as far back in years as com- 
parative registration of deaths reaches, shown a larger mortality in 
proportion to the population, in Massachusetts, than it has in Rhode 
Island. The proportions of the sexes of the decedents from that 
cause, in the two States, have not largely varied. 
The following summary will show the proportion of deaths, from 
consumption, to the living population in Massachusetts, during the 
different years named: 
Deaths from consumption in each 
1865. 
1870. 
1875. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
10,000 of population 
36.8... 
....34.3... 
....34.7... 
....30.4.... 
....30.8... 
....31.5 
It will be seen that the proportional mortality, from consumption, 
lias diminished very consi lerably in Massachusetts, since 1865. 
For the purpose of more readily comparing the proportions of mor- 
tality from consumption in the two States, the following summary is 
presented, showing the ratio of deaths from consumption to the living 
population in Rhode Island, during the same years: 
RHODE ISLAND. 
Deaths from consumption in each 
1865. 
1870. 
1875. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
10,000 of population 
...29.6... 
.. 26.4.. . 
....25.2.... 
...23.3... 
. ...23.2... 
. .. .25.6