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Workhouse practice had been only 8½ in the four preceding years. Apparently
therefore the cases treated at their own homes were of a more serious character
than usual, (See opposite Table.)
The diseases of the year, as seen in the practice of the workhouse, demand
no particular comment. The cases of continued fever received into the
infirmary, numbered 39, of which fourteen were recorded as "fever," and
twenty-five as " typhus." The mortality of continued fever on a whole was
18 per cent. of the cases, and of typhus 20 per cent. The worst cases of fever
being habitually removed to the workhouse, it follows that the cases treated at
their own homes comprised fewer cases of typhus, and that their mortality
was less. This is seen in the table. But there is here evidence that in the
later months of the year many very severe cases of continued fever were treated
at their own homes. There is much risk in this practice:—for the form of
fever which is most contagious (typhus), because of the danger to others:—
for the form which is less contagious (typhoid), because for the patient himself
it is of moment that he should be removed from the local conditions under
which this form of fever is generated.
SECTION VI.—On the Deaths in St. Giles's where there was no Certificate
of the Cause from a Medical man or Coroner.
There were 41 deaths registered in the twelvemonth by the three
registrars, on the mere statement of the friends or neighbours of the
deceased, as to the cause of death. No medical certificate was given,
and no inquest was held in respect of any of these cases. In each instance
the registrar's authority was given for the interment of the corpse, and it
was interred accordingly without further enquiry. This proceeding appears
to be strictly according to law.
Of the 41 persons, thirteen were infants under one day old, and another
thirteen were under one year of age. Four of the children appear to have
been illegitimate. Twenty-four of the forty-one deaths were among females.
Thirteen or nearly a third of the whole happened in and around Dudley Street.
The alleged causes of these 41 deaths, as stated to the registrar, may
be thus grouped :—
" Premature Birth" 4
" Debility," &c. 5
"Convulsions" 7
Definite disease
alleged
of the zymotic class 6
of other classes 6
Alleged accident 1
" Unknown" 12
Some of the more noteworthy of the instances in question are here extracted:—
Jan. 8th, 1861—At No. 2, Denmark Street, aged six weeks, son of a
housemaid, died of debility, diarrhoea ; not certified.
Feb. 28th,—At No. *9, Montague Mews, aged one month, daughter of a
journeyman baker, died of convulsions; no medical attendant.
March 10th,—At No. 19, Church Lane, aged one hour, son of a tailor,
cause of death unknown ; no medical attendant.
April 5th,—At No. 8, Church Lane ; a similar case.
March 9th,—At 9, Montague Mews, aged one year, son of a journeyman
baker, died of hydrocephalus ; not certified.
March 19th,—At No. 51, Chenies' Mews, aged 66 years, a potato-
salesman, died of rupture of a vessel on the brain; not certified.
May 5th,—In the Roman Catholic Chapel, Duke Street, aged 54 years,
widow of a gold lace weaver, cause of death unknown; died suddenly; notcertified.
May 13th,—At Angel Yard, aged 45, wife of an ostler, died of diphtheria
; not certified.
July 10th,—At No. 23, Chenies' Mews, aged two years, the daughter of a
conjurer; died from the falling of a wheel on the head; no medical attendant.