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October 18th, 1880.
During the fortnight that ended on the 9th day of
October, 132 births and 48 deaths were registered in the parish.
The former were equal to an annual birth rate of 34·4, and the
latter to an annual rate of mortality of 12·5 per 1000 of the
estimated population. The death rate in London was 19·6 per 1000.
The number of deaths from the principal zymotic diseases was
8, viz:-from measles 2, scarlet fever 3, diphtheria 1, and diarrhœa
2.
Thirteen deaths were referred to tubercular diseases, viz:- 4 to
meningitis, 5 to phthisis, and 4 to tabes.
There were 4 deaths from bronchitis, and 3 from pneumonia.
The deaths under one year of age numbered 17, and those
above sixty years of age, 7.
Three Inquests were held. The causes of death were
bronchitis 1, concussion of the brain 1, and found drowned 1.
One death—referred to dropsy —was not certified.
The returns of mortality are very satisfactory, but an undue
importance should never be attached to the statistics for a short
period.
I have again visited Mr. Higgins's premises and found no
attempt had been made to use the new apparatus since the date of
my last report.
Dr. Frankland reports as the result of his analysis of the
waters supplied to the Metropolis during September as follows: —
"Except the supply sent out by the Chelsea Company all the
water drawn from the Thames, although in every case efficiently
filtered, was again unfit for dietetic purposes owing to the large
quantity of organic matter which it contained." The difference
between water which is fit for domestic use and water which is not
is exceedingly minute. It is a question of the quality and condition
of the organic matter rather than of its exact quantity. In this
case, as all the water is derived from the same source, the nature of
the organic constituents must be of similar quality The difference
in the quantity of the organic elements in the Chelsea water which
is approved of, and that of the Southwark Company which is condemned,
is little more than one grain (1·162,) or about the weight
of a large pin's head in ten gallons of water. Under certain