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6
The mortality in the West Ward, which was the subject of
remark in my last Report, still holds a prominent place,
notwithstanding the attention which it has received, and
the care bestowed upon it. It is clear that further efforts are
required to improve its condition. Infant mortality is there
greater than in the other Wards;—but, it has been observed
that deaths among young children in increased proportion,
is usually experienced as an influence of distress and want.
Absolute want may not exist, but from the class and
condition of a great portion of the inhabitants of the West
Ward, there can be no doubt but that scanty means and
distress are sufficiently abundant to account, in some measure
at least, for the high mortality.
The drainage which has been effected in that part of the
East Ward which so much required it, and where disease
was so prevalent, will be seen by the Table to have been
followed by an alteration in its relative position among the
Wards as regards its mortality. A result so satisfactory
needs no comment, and the works have been completed so
recently, that further advantages may be fairly expected.
The proportion of Zymotic diseases to those of ordinary
character, appears greater than in my last Report, and there
is little variation in the different Wards. The difference is
attributable to the prevalence of Diarrhoea for several
months. In the workhouses, (for in the Table is included
deaths which have taken place in that part of the City
of London Workhouse which is in Mile End,) the rate is
less, and is accounted for by the fact that, although Poorhouses
are frequently hospitals for the sick, they arc more frequently
asylums for the aged, who are less liable to Zymotic
influence.