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number of deaths in Stoke Newington was 50 less than 1885,
although larger than in 1884; whilst in Stamford Hill SubDistrict
they were more than 50 in excess of those in 1885,
showing, as well as the births, the great increase of population
that has occurred in this sub-district. In West Hackney, also,
the number of deaths was greater than in 1885, having been
652, against 621 and 645 in 1884. In Hackney Sub-District
there were only 1,656, or 103 deaths below those registered in
1885, and 171 less than in 1884, which, however, showed in
that year the largest mortality I have recorded for the subdistrict.
In South Hackney the number of deaths, as well as
of births, was larger than in 1885, having reached to 732,
against 650 in 1885. This summary is unsatisfactory, as the
deaths in the Union Workhouse cannot be distributed to the
sub-districts from which the poor came; but it is more satisfactory
than in former years, when the addresses of those who
died in Hospitals and Public Institutions outside the district
could not be obtained. Now, however, I distribute, as far as I
can, all the deaths to the sub-districts to which they belong.
The number of bodies removed to the Mortuary was larger
than usual, 77 having been brought in, against 69 in 1885.
There was not any body received during the year, when the
cause of death was an infectious disease, so that the special
receptacle for such cases was not used at all. There were
26 cases of drowning, all of which were brought in by the
Police, many in a decidedly offensive state; but the measures
taken for preventing a nuisance, by placing the bodies under
glass cases, with the free application of a strong solution of
chloride of zinc to them, and repeated vaporization of Sanitas
Oil in the chamber (which I find to be the most effectual means
for destroying those offensive emanations), proved to be sufficient.
The arrangements have been so successful, that I have not had
any complaints this year from Jurymen as to offensive smells,
or from the Police, which, considering the advanced state of
decomposition in which some bodies were when brought in, is