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(4)
The restriction of the constant water supply during the hottest
months of the year was a source of anxiety to the Sanitary
Authorities in the East End, and inflicted serious hardship
on the consumers in general. The Vestry gave a free hand
to its officers to take all the precautions they could to mitigate
the inconvenience.
Vital Statistics.
The estimated population of Mile End Old Town in the
middle of 1898 was 112,538. I have no doubt that this number
is rather under than overestimated, but it is calculated on the
rate of increase being the same between the present quinquenial
Intercensal periods and the last one, which was four years ago.
Birth Rate.
The number of births registered during the year was 4,275,
nearly double the number of deaths, representing a birth rate
of 37.9 per 1,000.
Deaths and Death Rate.
The number of deaths occurring from all causes was 2,229,
the death rate being 19.9 per 1,000 for the year.
This is slightly higher than last year. The death rate in
London generally was higher than it had been in the previous
year. It will be seen by Table X that we again compare
very favourably with the other Eastern Districts; we
have the lowest death rate of any East End district this year,
and taking the last five years, whilst the aggregate deathrate
ror the Eastern districts was 22.3, that of
Mile End was 20.4 per 1,000. In a district like this, with the
number of poor people we have always with us, we can never
hope to have as low a death-rate as that of the West End
districts.