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Table II. shows the extent to which the great increase in the
number of deaths has raised the annual death-rate, viz., to 16.4
per 1000 population after due corrections had been made for deaths
in hospitals, against 13.9 in 1889. The birth-rate per 1000
population was only 27.4 against 27.7 in 1889, and 31.2 in 1880-89.
The special diseases to which the increased death-rate is attributable
will be shown in the discussion of Table III. The annual deathrate
for all London in the ten years, 1880-9, was 20.0 against 17.5
in 1889 and in 1890, so that the figures for Hackney correspond
favourably with those for all London, at the same time it is not
satisfactory that so great a rise has taken place this year as
compared with 1889. At the same time I may call to your
recollections that I pointed out the very small number of deaths
from infectious diseases in 1889, which was much, below the
average, and which was greater in 1890. The birth-rate still
continues to fall in Hackney and all London, which partly
accounts for the low death-rates, as so large a proportion of
infants, when compared with the total population, die during the
first year of life. It is very probable that the Census may show
a larger percentage of persons living between five and fortyfive
than formerly, and if so, this would partly account for the
diminished death-rates which have obtained for some years past.
The deaths of infants under one year, per 1000 registered births,
was low in 1890, having been 132 against 163 for all London.
At the same time this is a higher rate in this district than in
1888 and 1889, when it was only 125 and 107 respectively.
This increase will require carefully watching, as the mortality of
the newly-born is considered to be the great test of good
sanitary arrangements, as infants pass so much of their lives
in-doors. The proportion of total deaths under one year of age,
to total deaths at all ages, was more favourable, as there were
only 221 per 1000 deaths, against 238 in 1880-81, but it was
above that for 1889, when only 213 occurred. In 1871-80 the
calculation was not so favourable, as the rate Was 247 against
221 in 1890.
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