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REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF SAINT PANCRAS, MIDDLESEX,
DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1857,
by
THOMAS HILLIER, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health for the Parish of Saint Pancras.
October 13th, 1857.] [Nos. 17 & 18.
TO THE SANITARY COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen,
In the eight weeks that ended September 26th there were registered in this
parish 585 deaths, giving a weekly average mortality of 73. The average of the
corresponding weeks in the ten years, 1847-1856, was 649, giving a weekly
average of 81. So that the recent months of August and September show a
mortality one-tenth lower than the average of the ten preceding years. But it
must be remembered that these ten years comprise the autumns of 1849 and 1854,
in which cholera prevailed. The deaths have been registered as follows : in the
first week, 93; in the second, 74; in the third, 72; in the fourth, 74; in the
fifth, 57; in the sixth, 77; in the seventh, 57; in the eighth, 81. It will be seen
from these numbers that during the month of September the mortality has been
much lower than during the month of August.
From diarrhoea and infantile cholera there have been 76 deaths, distributed
over the eight weeks as follows : in the first week, 18 ; in the second, 20; in the
third, 8 ; in the fourth, 7 ; in the fifth, 4 ; in the sixth, 12; in the seventh, 4; in
the eighth, 3. So that the mortality from diarrhoea has much decreased since
August. This is usually the case as the weather becomes cooler. The deaths from
diarrhoea have been, with six exceptions, those of quite young children.
I am happy to report that since the end of July there have been no deaths
from Small Pox. During the two months 10 cases have been sent to the Small Pox
Hospital. The threatened outbreak of this disease in the crowded streets of Somers
Town has been, I believe, in great measure, checked by the precautionary notices
issued under your direction.
Low fevers are at present slightly on the increase; daring August 8 deaths
were registered under this head, and in September 15.
Under the age of fire years there have been 272 deaths, giving an average
weekly mortality of 34 at this age ; whilst in July last the rate was 38 per week,
and in the spring months only 27.
WORKHOUSE.
In the four weeks of August there were 23 deaths in this building, and in
September 21. Of the whole number one was from hooping cough and one from
diarrhoea. Nearly all the other deaths have been from chronic diseases. The
number of cases of diarrhoea has decreased from 124 in five weeks of July, to 24
in the four weeks of August, and 5 in the four weeks of September.
The weekly average number of inmates in August was 1,376, and in September
1,433; whilst in July it was only 1,323; so that the numbers are now steadily
on the increase.