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5
THIRD REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF SAINT PANCRAS, MIDDLESEX,
by
THOMAS HILLIER, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health for the Parish of Saint Pancras.
Juxy 2nd, 1856.] [No. 3.
TO THE SAJSTITAEY COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen,
During the 4 weeks, ending June 28th, the total number of deaths registered
was 254; giving a weekly average of 63.5. In the nine weeks preceding the
number was 674, giving a weekly average of 74.9; so that the present return
still exhibits a favorable condition of the public health. The average number of
deaths during the corresponding periods in the ten years 1846-55 was 268. The
total number of deaths during the last quarter has been 928, of which 134 have
been from epidemic diseases. Of these diseases typhus, a disease more under
the control of sanitary measures than almost any other, has been fatal to the
largest number of persons. The yearly rate of mortality exhibited by the
deaths of the quarter is about 22 to the thousand, if no correction be made for
increase of the population; or between 19 and 20 if the correction be made.
But we must not expect that every quarter of the year will be as healthy as
the preceding one has been; so that we shall, no doubt, for the whole year
get a higher death-rate than the above.
It will be seen, by comparing the schedules A and IS, that the number of
deaths from a disease often fails to give a fair representation of the prevalence of
that disease. For instance, whilst we get only 5 deaths from measles in the
entire parish, there have been under the care of the parochial medical officers
62 cases of that complaint. Measles has been very abundant, but the epidemic
has not assumed a virulent form.
The number of deaths in the Workhouse during the month has been 27 ; and
3 of the inmates sent to Hospitals died in them. The general health of the
establishment has been tolerably good. During the past week diarrhoea has
been somewhat prevalent. Some of the girls were suffering a fortnight since
from inflammation of the eyes, and were removed to Pratt- street, in order to isola te
them from the rest of the school. They are now convalescent.
The average number of inmates has been 1369, more than a hundred less than
last month.