No tabulations of the causes of death can be of much statistical value unless they follow the standard of the International classification of causes of death. The classification scheme, herewith followed, is the old method heretofore used and is followed under orders, rather than by choice. When two thirds of the diagnoses of the causes of death are made by persons without any medical education or training, (a method of reporting which, unfortunately, has the sanction and support of the present state law) there can be no value whatever in any summary of the causes of death. During 1915 over 58 per cent of the death records were made by persons who were not physicians, and these persons attached to the report blanks their guesses as to the causes of death. In the classification apoplexy and paralysis are not entirely synomomous, as paralysi' is merely a symptom, as are many other so-written "causes" which are on the death certificates. BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF 1915 CLASSED BY PERSONS MAKING REPORTS. The reports of births by midwives were made by 78 midwives in 23 coun. ties. Midwives are not licensed in the state. |