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9
DEATH RATE.
We show a mortality for the year 1903 of 18•17. This is
more than two and a half per thousand below the rate of the
previous year; but the relation to the general Metropolitan rate
remains almost unaltered; for this last has proportionately
declined and stands at about three per thousand below that of
Bethnal Green. The rate for the whole of London was 15•2 as
against 17•2 for the previous year. This is the lowest mortality
on record, and is probably accounted for by the fact that the
year has been one of the wettest known. The protagonist to
human life in large towns is undoubtedly foulness of the air
however caused—it stands to reason that an atmosphere washed
clean by rain must be healthier to breathe than one charged with
germ-containing dust. The composition of London street dust
scarcely bears thinking about, so indescribably filthy is it. Any
attempt to sweep it away makes matters worse, but when converted
into mud it is harmless as it cannot be inhaled and is not
likely to be swallowed; moreover, its nature readily permits of
its removal by the slop cart, a conveyance much less fraught
with danger than is the dust cart.

The next table shows the mortality rates for London and for
Bethnal Green compared by months: the rainfall and the mean
temperature are also shown for each period.