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REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF ST. MARY, ISLINGTON.
FOR OCTOBER, 1870.
No. CLXXXII.
Neither the general public sickness nor the mortality can be regarded
as having been excessive during the past month. The 308 deaths
registered were less numerous than in October last year by 20, and
only 13 more than in October, 1868. The 2945 cases of public sickness
recorded were exceeded considerably in each of the preceding four
Octobers. Of the contagious diseases, small-pox and scarlet fever have
been most prevalent. The cases of small-pox newly met with having
been 31 against 13 in the five weeks of September, and those of
scarlet fever 72 against 83 in five weeks. The deaths from scarlet
fever have amounted to 60. Sixty-eight cases of fever have been
reported, mostly typhoid. I have heard of one or two cases of relapsing
fever among the poor. Pulmonary affections have run up to a
high number of cases, unusually early this year; 701 cases of bronchitis
and catarrh, 28 of pneumonia and 17 of pleurisy, form a total very far
larger than the highest total of cases which I have yet recorded in
October, viz:—482 in 1868. In the presence of rapidly-advancing smallpox,
I cannot urge too strenuously upon all persons above the age of
15 or 16 years, the importance of renewing their protection by revaccination.
Under the new regulations, infants are now looked after,
and we must hope that few will escape protection, but all young
persons from the ages mentioned, are still liable to attack, notwithstanding
their vaccination, although much less liable than if they had
never been vaccinated at all. It is the ages from about 16 to 26 years,
which in a vaccinated population furnish the large majority of cases,
during the epidemic season. Domestic precautions are the most effectual
in preventing the spread of scarlet fever They are fully detailed in
the Papers issued from our Office, We afford every assistance and
advice in our power to persons desirous of carrying them into effect.+