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REPORT.
Gentlemen,
The mortality in the Whitechapel District for the quarter ending March 31st,
a period comprising thirteen weeks, is 734, including 52 non-residents. This amount is
greater than in any of the corresponding quarters of the last four years. Thus,—in 1856, the
mortality was 631, in 1857, it was 669, in 1858, it was 686, and in 1859, it was 611
The increased mortality (averaging weekly 56.4) in this quarter, may, perhaps, he
accounted for, by the protracted and unusual severity of the weather during the months
of February and March, when the mean temperature of the air was 38.9. The greatest mortality
that occurred in any one week, was in that which ended on the 10th March, when the
deaths were 76; it was at this period, that the mean temperature of the air was 27.6, or 4.4
below the freezing point of water.
Of the total deaths in this quarter, 394 are males, and 340 females. The births, during
the same period, are 737, of which, 393 are males, and 344 females. The excess of births
over deaths is therefore only 3, but if we deduct the deaths of the non-residents, (52) the births
exceed the deaths by 55. On referring to table No. 6, it will be seen, that the births exceeded
the deaths in the districts of the Artillery Ground, Spitalfields, AVhitechapel North, and Goodman's-fields,
while in the districts of Whitechapel Church, Mile End New Town, and Aldgate,
the deaths exceeded the births. The excess of deaths over births in the Whitechapel Church
and the Mile End New Town Districts may be accounted for, by the London Hospital, (in
which there were 101 deaths), being situated in the one district, and the Union Workhouse,
(iu which there were 115 deaths), being situated in the other district. The only way in which
I can account for the excess of deaths over births in the Aldgate District, is upon the supposition,
that many of the births are not registered; and in confirmation of this opinion,
Mr. Sequeika informs me that several of the children which are brought to him for vaccination
have not had their birth registered.