"Classed according to parentage, there were of "American parentage, 1576; foreign parentage, 1431; total, 3007.

แ "This shows that, in the classification according to nativity, 867 children of foreign parents are included with the American population, though they are really subject to all the sanitary, social, and other influences of the foreign population. For all purposes of sanitary, or any other investigation, it is evident that these children should be included with the foreign population.

"Take another example. During the month of September, 1858, there were 86 deaths in the city of Providence. Classed according to nativity, there were, of persons

"Born in the United States, 80 deaths; average age, 18.8 years.

Born in other countries, 6 deaths; average age, 39.00 years.

"Classed according to parentage, there were of

"American parentage; 42 deaths; average age, 34·3

years.

"Foreign parentage, 44 deaths; average age, 6 8 years. "Can there be any doubt which is the correct classification?

"Take a third example. 1858 inclusive, there were cholera infantum. Classed according to nativity, there were of

During three years, 1856 to 156 deaths in the city, from

"American nativity, 156; foreign nativity, 0; total, 156.

"Classed according to parentage, there were of "American parentage, 55; foreign parentage, 101; Total, 156.

"Thus, nearly all the mortality reports of cities in this. country, as they give only the classification according to nativity, show that none but Americans die from cholera. infantum.

"These examples are sufficient to show, that the classification of mortality statistics, according to parentage, particularly in our cities, should be adopted for all purposes of sanitary and other investigation. They also show, that the classification, according to nativity, has no value whatever; but on the contrary, gives erroneous information, and is only calculated to mislead and deceive the inquirer after truth.

"Believing in the truth, and in the importance of these views, I have, in the mortality reports of the city of Providence, made all the classifications and analyses of the facts, according to parentage. The results obtained, as shown in this, and in the preceding reports, have been of a most surprising character, and, in my opinion, fully show the correctness of the plan adopted.

"One fact, resulting from the recapitulation of three years' statistics, may be given here. The number of deaths, in Providence, of persons of foreign parentage, during three years, 1856 to 1858 inclusive, was 1431. But if the deaths of persons of foreign parentage had been in the same proportion to the population living, as those of American parentage, the number would have been 1097, or 334 less than the actual number. In other

words, if the foreign population had been in the same circumstances, and under the same sanitary influences as the American population, 334 lives would have been. saved, in the three years, or more than one in five of all who died, of the foreign population.

"This fact could not have been learned by a classification, according to nativity. On the contrary, the classification, according to nativity, would show that the annual mortality, during the last three years, has been one in 41 of the persons living, of American nativity, and only one in 70 of those living, of foreign nativity. It is difficult to perceive any value in a fact of that description."

In conclusion, it is earnestly hoped that physicians (and others concerned), will, in future, state the nativity of the parents of deceased children in the certificates of death returned to this office, so as to enable the head of the department hereafter, to form a correct classification of children of foreign parentage, compared with those of natives.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE W. MORTON,

City Inspector.

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