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6° above the mean of other years. The maximum was 57°, and occurred on
the 17th of the month; the minimum was 32°, and occurred on the 20th. The
wind has been for the most part south-westerly. The air has been less saturated
with moisture than in November, so that the meteorology of this month does
not explain the great fatality of pulmonary disease.
REVIEW OF THE AUTUMN QUARTER.
The number of deaths registered in this Parish during the quarter which
ended December 26th, 1857, was 1,029; in the corresponding quarter of 1856,
it was 1,018. Low fevers and diarrhoea have been less fatal than last year,
scarlatina rather more so. There have been only 2 deaths from small pox.
In the Workhouse the number of deaths has amounted to 64, whilst in the same
quarter of 1856 it was 85, and in 1855 it was 109. As usual in the fourth
quarter of the year more deaths have been registered than in either the second or
third, and fewer than in the first. "With reference to the cases of sickness under
treatment by the Parish Medical Oflicers, it will be seen that the total number is
slightly in excess of the previous quarter; that the number of cases of fever
has diminished from 52 to 36, of diarrhoea from 614 to 100, of small pox from
30 to 17. An increase has occurred in the cases of scarlet fever from 23 to 35,
of measles from 53 to 80, of hooping cough from 27 to 41, whilst in pulmonary
diseases (including influenza) there has been a great increase, from 78 to 591.
Meteorology.—The average temperature has been 48°, which is 4° above
the mean of other years.
The number of deaths in the entire metropolis was 15,115; and as the population
of St. Pancras is about one-fourteenth part of that of London, if this
Parish had been as unhealthy as the rest of London, about 1,080 persons would
have died, instead of 1,029.
Sanitary Works.—302 houses have been visited, in which sanitary improvements
were required, besides very many more in which there were none required.
106 notices have been served for the abatement of nuisances, and improvement
of house property. 28 summonses have been taken out before Police Magistrates.
The owner of premises in Chad's Row used for melting down the refuse from
seal skins, has been repeatedly summoned under the Nuisances' Removal Act,
but the Magistrate at last decided that this Act was not applicable to the case,
inasmuch as we had not proved to his satisfaction that the best available means
to prevent nuisance had not been employed, and states that he considered the
case ought to be taken before a special sessions. A summons was then taken
out under the Buildings' Act, 7 and 8 Vict., c. 84, sec. 55, which provides that
any person who shall establish or newly carry on any one of certain offensive
businesses, therein enumerated within 50 feet from a dwelling house, shall be
liable to a penalty of fifty pounds a day. The owner did not feel disposed to stand
out against this, and gave a written agreement to remove the business entirely
before the middle of February, if the prosecution was suspended. This course
was adopted.
The slaughter-houses and cow-houses have all been visited some several times.
About 60 rabbits in a putrid state have been seized, also 4 lots of fish, and
one of poultry.
The average degree of humidity at Greenwich (if 100 be taken to represent complete
ntenation) was in November 93, and in December 87½.
I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
21, Upper Gowee Stbeet. THOMAS HILLIER, M.D., L.R.C.P.