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6
Diseases of the Chest, and also Constitutional diseases, were somewhat
higher in the Whitechapel District—because, perhaps, occupations
liable to predispose to such diseases are more common in this
district than in the Metropolitan area as a whole; but, on the other
hand, we are not so liable to die from diseases of the nervous system.
It is curious that, although the deaths from accidents have an almost
identical percentage to total deaths in each list, yet where homicide
and suicide are concerned our district can show the better record.
This result is also to be mentioned in deaths from Privation and
Alcoholism, although, on the other hand, fewer of our people die from
that much envied cause of death—"Old Age."
In passing, I must call attention to Table K*, which I have produced,
to indicate the improvement apparent in our mortality returns
since I first reported to your Board. It is clear that the improvement
is in the direction of what may be termed "ordinary" diseases rather
than in any of the diseases of the Zymotic type. Although Small-pox
is again absent from the death-roll, owing to the excellent work of
the Vaccination Officer, I regret to record that Measles, Scarlet
Fever, Whooping Cough, and Diphtheria maintain a position equal to
the previous decennial average. I have heard it adduced as an argument
against the claims of vaccination that improved hygiene has
determined the comparative disappearance of Small-pox rather than
any prophylactic power said to exist in the vaccine lymph, If this be
so, may I ask why the diseases I have named (which are still present
with their old power of causing death) have not been edged out by the
same sanitary improvements? Isolation can do much to prevent the
spread of epidemic disease; but until some antidote has been introduced
for each Zymotic disease, comparable with the Jennerian specific,
we must be content to retain that disease, and to know that it will be
ready at any time to increase its activity when favourable circumstances
exist. It is almost unnecessary to allude to Antitoxin as a
cure for Diphtheria, because during the past mouths the public journals
have given much information upon the subject. That the new lymph
has great properties in the reduction of temperature is certain, and
probably it possesses other properties of great value. It is upon its
trial. I am glad to see that the Metropolitan Asylums' Board have
arranged with the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, at a
cost not exceeding £375 during six months, for the colleges to undertake
all the bacteriological work connected with hospital cases. The
colleges will also report on a daily average number of at least twenty
cases. The Sub-Committee of the Managers' Report continues—
" and they think it the duty of the Managers (on the evidence adduced
" from Germany, Paris, &c.) to take immediate steps for giving a fair
" trial to the antitoxin treatment of Diphtheria, a form of treatment
* Page 30.