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Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
11
Parish of Saint George the Martyr Southwark.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING LADY.DAY, 1864.
Mr Chairman and Gentlemen,
The year which ended the 2nd April, 1864, has been characterised by its unhealthiness;
whilst at the same time it has been remarkable for the fineness of its weather, and for its
plentiful seasons. Everywhere have the fields been yellow with the harvest; and everywhere
has fruit covered the trees, and grass the meadows ; nevertheless, sickness has been
upon the face of the people. Many other years have passed, when to our view circumstances
appeared more unfavourable to health, yet they have recorded a far smaller rate of
mortality. There are influences at work within and without us, with reference to which our
knowledge is limited; influences hitherto hidden in obscurity; and which await long and patient.toil
to bring them out into the light. The atmosphere alone, with its changes chemical and
physical, remains a wide field for the student; aud one which will reward his labours with
a rich success. For, although, we may never be able to give snow like wool; nor scatter
the hoar frost like ashes; nor cast forth ice like morsels; nor cause the winds to blow, and
the waters to flow; yet, by discovering the laws which govern these irresistible powers of
nature, we may be enabled to prevent them afflicting us with those evils, which now sicken
and destroy the people. Just as Admiral Fitzroy, from his knowledge of the weather,
telegraphs to the farthest ports, giving warning of the coming storm, whilst the sky is calm
and cloudless, and the sea without a ripple: soon the tempest sweeps along, carrying havoc
and destruction; but the mariner heeds it not, for be remains within, and saves his wealth,
and ship, and life.
The births of 2132 children were registered in the year; and they were one to every
26 of the population; 1053 were boys, and 1079 were girls.
1689 persons died in the year; and the annual rate of mortality was 30 per 1000: a
higher rate than has happened for some years. 819 of these were males, and 870
were females.