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Effect of Epidemics on the Death-rate.
14. Notwithstanding tho large mortality from Small-pox in the year
1871, it is apparent that our death-rate (25.6), including all the deaths in
hospitals, was considerably less than our death-rate (27.3) for last year.
Our experience therefore confirms the opinion that is beginning to be
received, that epidemics (unless under very exceptional circumstances) do
not, at least, increase the general death-rate. Here, perhaps, it will be
prudent to rest for a time, It will be observed, also, that there was a
reduction of the birth-rate as well as of tho death-rate.
The Death-rate among Infants in St. Giles.
15. The number of deaths, including those in hospitals, among infants
under one year of age, in St. Giles, during the year 1871, was 319, which
gives a rate of 1 death in every 4.8 births, or 20.8 per cent, of births.
16. Tho rate in respect of population is 1 in every 167 of persons
living, or 5.97 per 1000.
17. Tho number of births having been smaller than last year, our deathrate
in relation to births is a little higher, whilst in relation to population it
is lower.
The Death-rate among Persons 60 years of age and upwards.
18. The number of deaths, including those in hospitals, at 60 years and
upwards, was 301, which gives a rate of 1 in every 177 of population. This
is equivalent to 5.6 per 1000, which is higher than last year.
The Death-rate among Persons at all ages (excluding Infants and Persons
60 years cf age and upwards.)
19. The number of deaths at these ages, including deaths in hospitals,
was 747, giving a rate of 1 in every 71.5 of persons living, or equivalent to
15.5 per 1000. This rate is lower than last year, viz. 16.16 per 1000, the
mortality from Small-pox not having raised it as might have been expected.
The cause of this diminution of the general mortality will be referred to in
subsequent notices of special diseases.
Small Pox.
20. Small Pox appeared first in this District, as an epidemic, in the
month of February of the year 1870; it has therefore prevailed about two
years. My last Annual Report gave the details for that year; the results
being 61 cases and 16 deaths, more than half the cases occurring in Bloomsbury.
This Report will be confined to a statement of the cases and mortality
during the year 1871.
21. The entire number of cases, public and private, for the year 1871,
was 531. The sex was ascertained in every case but 5, and the proportions
were 259 males and 267 females. The oldest person attacked was aged 63
years, and the youngest an infant aged 9 days. The average age of persons
attacked was 15.3 years. Among the males there were 47 deaths, or a rate
of 18.4 per cent. : among the females 41 deaths, or a rate of 15.3 per cent.;
the excess of mortality, therefore, falling upon the males.