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8
weeks after birth, leaving the mother in a natural condition
more likely to add to the number of her family than if the
infant had been reared to the age of twelve months or more;
so that an excess of births, and a great return of infant
mortality, may have a very close relation with each other.
The next table I have preserved in its original form, and
I think that it will repay the trouble of collation and
comparison with the tables of former years contained in the
Annual Reports I have had the honour of presenting to you.
But the most gratifying and satisfactory portion of it, is that
contained in the last column. It will be there seen that
the rate of deaths in two Wards is as low, within a fraction,
as it is in the most favoured parts of the kingdom; that in
those Wards which exceed that moderate number the rate
of death is still very low ; and that the death rate for the
whole Hamlet is much less than that of the metropolis itself.
In London the rate of deaths per annum to every 1,000
persons living, was 22; in Mile End Old Town, 20.9.
In the eastern districts the rate was 23.3.
The reduction of mortality in Mile End may be easily
seen when the numbers are placed beside those of the
metropolis generally during the last five years. The great
fall in the scale which may be observed between 1860 and
1859 is not so much owing to the superiority of the state of
public health during 1860, as to the correction of the
account of population, the Census giving us a greater number
than had been adopted as a basis.
in mile end old town.
in london.
1856 24.2 21.7
1857 25 22.2
1858 23 23.5
1859 23.1 22.2
1860 20.9 22