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96
Annual Report of the Statistical Committee.—
In the year 1888 the Asylums Board constituted a new
Committee, designated statistical, to which the Annual
Reports of the Medical Superintendents of the several hospitals,
etc., are referred, these reports being now published in a
separate volume instead of being scattered here and there in the
minutes of the proceedings of the Managers as formerly.
The report of the Committee itself is one of much interest
and considerable utility. A series of maps of London accompanying
the report, show, in a very concentrated form, most
of the thoroughfares, and the outlines of the Sanitary Districts,
and also indicate by " spots" the localities in which cases of
infectious diseases occurred during the year. By charts and
tables, many matters are clearly set out, and altogether
very complete information is now collated and placed permanently
on record in the very considerable volume now
issued annually. The annual report of the Ambulance Committee
is included in this volume, thus constituting it a
complete statement of the work done in the various departments,
in discharge of the multifarious duties which, by
successive Acts of the Legislature, have been devolved upon
the Board. With this introduction i pass on to give a
brief abstract of some of the principal matters ably treated in
the Committee's report.
The Committee commence their report by stating that they have
"again to record a considerable increase in the number of fever and
small-pox patients admitted to the Managers' Hospitals." In the
seven years 1887-93, "the total annual admissions (of small-pox and
fever cases) have been 6,596, 5,219, 5,777, 8,361, 7,873, 16,624, and
21,129 respectively." "Whether the very high figures of the past two
years were entirely due to the effects of compulsory notification, and
the increased popularity of the Managers' Hospitals, or whether there
was not a somewhat greater prevalence of scarlet fever, diphtheria,
and small-pox amongst an increased population." the Committee say
they " have not, owing to the comparatively recent establishment of