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These results are derived from observed facts, and they show that the
death-rate to 1000 population in Bloomsbury is 20.90, in St. Giles South 32.,
in St. Giles North 28.3. These figures correspond pretty closely with the
rates given in the 3rd, or death-rate to population column in Table 4, where
they are stated at Bloomsbury 21.16, St. Giles South 33.20, in St. Gile3
North 29.47, and differ widely from those in the next column where the
estimated ratios are given of deaths to births.
It is observable also that the chief cause of the low mortality of Bloomsbury
is the small number of deaths of persons at all ages above infancy; whilst
on the other hand the high mortality of St. Giles South is due mainly to the
excess of deaths among the same class. The death-rate for Bloomsbury (comparing
the last Table with Table 4) being 3.76 less than the death-rate for
London, the difference is almost wholly due to the diminished death-rate
at all ages above infancy.
The death-rate for St. Giles South is 7.66 in excess, and is caused by
deaths in the following proportion:—Infants, 2.56; all other ages, 5.10; so
that if the death-rate in St. Giles South had been measured by the birthrate
the excess would have been only 2.56 instead of 7.66.
It is obvious, therefore, that the birth-rate would be a more imperfect
standard for St. Giles District than the population-rate; for although it is
both trite and true that all who are born must die, yet the births are only
one element of the vital phenomena in an urban population, where migrations
inwards and outwards are perpetual, and where disparity of circumstances
leads to inequality of vital force.
The Causes of the Mortality in St. Giles District.
The annexed Table gives a synopsis of the various classes and orders of
disease, with the mortality arising from them, both in the Metropolis at
at large and in St. Giles District, and the comparative ratios for St. Giles.
"We can thus see at a glance which diseases have been most prevalent and
fatal among us, and which unusually mild. [See table following page.]
The first fact that strikes the attention is the excessive number of
"unspecified causes" of death in St. Giles District: our proportionate
number being 9, whilst we have actually registered 20. Greater caution
should be exercised in this matter. In some instances the cause of death
has been stated as "Unknown," yet an inquest was not held. In other
instances, and these are the most numerous, a cause of death is assigned, but
the disease was not certified. The word has been taken apparently of the