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18
Organs, which deaths were nearly equally distributed throughout
the year.
Apoplexy, Convulsions of Infants, Paralysis, and other Brain
Diseases, carried off 227 persons.
There is much reason to be thankful that, amidst the alarm of
late created by the appearance of the Diphtheria Epidemic, when the
public papers are daily reporting the numerous deaths that are
occurring in various parts of London, in many parts of the country,
and even in the elevated and generally healthy neighbourhood of
Blackheath, this District has been almost free from the ravages of
that disease, 4 deaths only having been registered during the year.
Every Epidemic seems to have its own congenial climate, and
each will thrive under peculiar favourable circumstances: Typhus
Fever will rage in ill-ventilated aud confined neighbourhoods;
Ague will prevail in low and marshy lands; but it would
appear that Diphtheria has no putrid effluvia in this District
on which its development depends.
12 deaths are recorded from women dying in Childbirth; and
when it is noticed that 2445 children were born in the District, it
will be shown that on an average the death of one mother occurred
out of the births of 203 children.
227 deaths were referred to Atrophy amongst children and to
aged persons; and 32 Inquests were held during the year, being 51
less than during the year of 1857.
The foregoing facts and figures do not speak very favourably as
to the progress made and, perhaps, by many expected from the
sanitary measures that have been adopted ; and on referring more
particularly to Table No. 2, wherein is shown a comparative statement
of the mortality and the ages at which that mortality took
place, it would appear that very little amelioration had been effected
or benefit derived from the labours of the Board.
In some of my former Reports I have particularly drawn your
attention to the great Infantile Mortality that was annually occurring
in the District, and at the same time I strongly pointed out to you
that the one great object to be attained by your operations was the
saving of infantile life. In my last Annual Report I had the great
satisfaction of being able to state that that desideratum had been