View report page

cases being twice as numerous as in 1882, and exceeding the
average by 34. No death from Small Pox was recorded.
This is a gratifying circumstance, as we have not been
entirely free from a few deaths from this disease in each year,
since 1875. The deaths from Fever were comparatively few,
being only slightly in excess of half the average number.
During the summer, there were outbreaks of Cholera at
several places in Egypt, and as it was possible that cases of
this disease might be imported at any time, a further inspection
was made of the courts and streets where it would be
most likely to prevail. Public Notices were issued to the
inhabitants, to remove existing nuisances, and 11,000 copies
of " Sanitary Precautions" were distributed from house to house
throughout the Parish. It is to be feared that advice of this
kind is received with the greatest indifference when the
enemy is known to be at a distance, but I have no doubt that
much good resulted from the action of the Vestry. Several
nuisances were brought to light and abated. The condition
of many dwellings was improved.
POPULATION.
The population at the middle of the year is estimated at
88,052. In making this estimate we take credit for only
about one-third of the natural increase which is shown by
the annual excess of births over deaths. The proportion of
the sexes is assumed to be the same as at the last census.
This gives us: —Males 43962, Females 44090. This apparent
equality in numbers does not exist throughout the several
groups of ages under which the people are classed. Between
15 and 35 years of age, there is a greater preponderance of
men; and after 55 years of age, the women considerably outnumber
the opposite sex. The number of children living
under 5 years of age is estimated at 13,648. This is an excess
of 219 1 when compared with the number living at the
same age in London. As the average mortality throughout
the country, is 63 per thousand persons living at this age, the
extra number in Bermondsey would make a constant addition