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5
The rate for the whole of the London districts was between
23 and 24 to every 1000 living; that of the eastern
division,* of which we form a part, 25.30.
The rate for Mile End in the same period was 23, but
when corrected according to the supposed increase, 21.35.
(See Table No. 2.)
When the deaths which have taken place in the Workhouses
and other public establishments are added, the rate will be,
upon the estimation of 1856,—24.9; upon the same, corrected
to Christmas, 1858,—23.3.
It has been observed that whenever the mortality of the
six months after the summer solstice is much greater than
the mortality of the preceding six months, the absolute
mortality of the place is high. If we apply this test, which
has been founded upon many observations made throughout
Europe, to Mile End, we shall have a very favorable result.
In 1857, if we take the two first quarters and compare
their amount with the two last, the latter is in excess, but
not greatly so, and the public health consequently was good.
In the first six months of the year we had 761 deaths, and
the last 783. In 1858 the amount of the last two quarters
was less than that of the first: the first half year 769, the
second 742. The comparison is clearly favorable to the
state of health of ihe past year.
The proportion of zymotic disease to that produced by
other causes is much less than was shown last year. But
the disproportion is explained by the practice which has
been adopted of sending fever cases, which were formerly
treated in the workhouse infirmary, and which became a sort
of hospital for such diseases, to the Fever Hospital at Islington.
* The Eastern Division contains Shoreditch, White chapel, St. George in
the East, Stepney, Mile End, Bow, and Poplar.