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4
1315 persons were born in the quarter, and 811
died. The total Deaths and total Births are given for
each sub-district in Table III. The proportion of deaths
to births was .62; in the same period of 1857 it
was .55.
The total deaths during the first quarters of each
of the years 1855, 1856, 1857, and 1858, exhibit the
following numbers: 915, 711, 706, 811. These numbers
shew a considerable diminution during 1858 as compared
with 1855; and an apparent corresponding increase in
1858 as compared with 1856 and 1857. But to arrive at
a correct appreciation of the true meaning of these figures
a closer analysis of the facts is necessary. Many causes,
some of which baffle statistical re-search, are constantly
in operation in a large population, affecting its healthmovement.
These combine to render the gross-mortality
or general death-rate an uncertain test of the
sanitary condition of a given section of the community.
The most positive and reliable test is, as I have had
repeated opportunities of illustrating in previous
Reports, the prevalence of Typhoid Fever. This disease
may be taken as the constant exponent of the extent to
which bad sanitary conditions prevail. It is strictly a
local disease, originating from local causes. If we apply
this test to the analysis of the Shoreditch mortality
during the first quarters of the last four years, we shall
find reason for congratulation.