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2
Parish of Saint George the Martyr, Southwark.
favourable than the figures shew; in this, that the deaths now recorded are in an increased population.
Considering that the causes of increased mortality have been very wide spread, this state of things is not
unfavourable. We must not forget that during this quarter, in England, 13,675 persons have died more
than in the corresponding quarter of 1855, and 14,176 more than in 1856. In London, 1,293 more
than in the corresponding quarter of 1855, and 928 more than in 1856. In the same ratio as all
England, our increase would have been 40; it was 39. In the same ratio as London, it would have
been 24; it was 39—the excess owing almost entirely to diseases of the breathing organs.
In the second Table are the usual calculations, shewing the enormous pressure of the poor
rate in this parish over and above the pressure of the rate in other parishes. We still continue to relieve
largely the poor of other parishes, as well as our own, in the shape of casuals—4,794 in the Michaelmas
quarter; 4,866 in the Christmas quarter. Most other parishes number their casuals by tens and
hundreds only. I have, in previous reports, shewn how this increases disease, and diminishes the chance
of a proper provision for the sick poor. I would also draw your attention to that column of this Table
which shews our annual mortality as 30 to every thousand living; if we could lose at the rate of
Bermondsey, we should lose 110 persons less every year; if at the rate of Ilampstead, 650 would every
year be saved from death; and the living would, of course, be more healthy. We cannot expect to be
as Hampstead; but why should our people die so much faster than those of Bermondsey, St. Giles's, and
Bethnal Green ? I, as I think, see the reasons clearly enough; I wish I had the power to convince others.
The third Table shews the total deaths from zymotic disease to have been 56—10 less
than in the corresponding quarter last year. Diarrhoea, 12 deaths as against 8 then; this maybe
considered slight, but it is enough to warn us; especially as we have had a full share of every epidemic,
and have lost in all 2,300 persons by cholera. The sprinkling comes before the shower. I would not
willingly prophecy evil, but I earnestly and respectfully warn you to have those places where cholera
has appeared before, thoroughly cleansed and amended. Of chest diseases, 136 died in 14 weeks, 47
of them from consumption. I shall have something to say in a future report of this disease, and its
preventable causes. The weekly average temperature at no time dropped to freezing; it was not, then,
the severity of weather, or many and violent changes, that produced so much mortality from chest
diseases. The changes were not great, but the weather was not invigorating ; the bracing and hardening
effect of a healthy winter was wanting. It may be here remarked that rain fell on Thursday, 22nd
October, to the extent, on this one day, of one-tenth the average rainfall for a year—about 58,000
gallons to the acre.*
The fourth Table shews the mortality in districts. 109 in the Kent Road district, or one
death in 166 living. 105 in the London Road district, or one in 170 living. 129 in the Borough Road
district, or one in 122 living. As to sickness, bearing upon a previous hint, 125 cases of diarrhcea are
here recorded, and 535 cases of various chest diseases. 1 have been favoured with returns from eight
institutions, which will be found in this Table; and I have to thank the Officers of these respective
institutions for the trouble they have taken to oblige me, and which does not necessarily come within
the sphere of their duties.
The poor have suffered much more than in the corresponding quarter last year, an excess of
472 cases is shewn, or 370 in 13 weeks. 91 cases of fever are here recorded; the great majority are
happily rather feverish cases than fever. The Relieving Officers inform me that no cases have been sent to
the Fever Hospital. I have no doubt that shortly the books will be so kept, that I shall be able to
distinguish between one and the other.
The sixth Table gives, as usual, the births, the causes of death, ages and sexes. Of 501 births,
251 were males and 250 females. Of the 343 deaths, 177 were males and 166 females. Other
• Registrar General's Report.