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31
Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
The mortality from Zymotic diseases, and by which are meant small pox, measles,
scarlet fever and the like, has been 329. Comparing; it with the deaths from the same diseases
in the preceding year, there has been an increase of forty-one. Much, very much has
been done, but much more remains still to be done, before these preventable diseases will
bo trampled out. I think at the present time, a little too much is expected from those who
are using their utmost endeavours to bring about this desirable end, whilst nothing, or next
to nothing, is done by these for whom all these efforts are made. Good cannot be forced
upon any one; the recipients must be willing and prepared.
In Great Britain the mortality now caused by Zymotic diseases is about 22 per 1000
deaths, or one in forty-five of the population. We cannot state with certainty whether the
germs from which these poisons take their origin, can under certain circumstances start anew
into existence; or, whether they have always existed, and are always present, but from
some conditions of their own, or other surroundings remain in a dormant state, as the seed
remains dormant until planted. I believe as regards fever, that it may arise from a cold,
and become the source of infection.
The Acts which have been passed to enforce vaccination are beginning to tell, as shown
by the decrease of small pox. Vaccination is more rigidly and universally carried out than
at any former period. Four deaths were registered from this disease in place of 24 in the
year 1867-8, and of 44 in the year 1866-7. The benefits conferred by vaccination can never
be too often told and placed before the public; consequently I will give you the narrative
of an epidemic of small pox that occurred on board the ship Octavia. A few day's after this
ship had left Bombay, where the small pox was rife, the disease broke out. There was a
total strength of six hundred and ton, consisting of officers and men. Of these five hundred
and eighty-nine had boon vaccinated, whilst the remaining twenty-one had not. Of these
vaccinated four hundred and thirty-seven entirely escaped, whilst the one hundred and fifty
two who were attacked, suffered lightly and recovered. The twenty-one not vaccinated
were all attacked and six died. Those who recovered were more or less disfigured, and
their constitutions shattered; besides having passed through a period of weary but needless
misery, and being an object of loathsomeness to themselves, and all around. Compared
with the eruption of small pox, that which sometimes follows vaccination is utterly unworthy
of notice. Small pox is now rare, and its repulsive appearance almost forgotten.
Scarlet fever has prevailed during the past year to an unusual extent in the Metropolis,
and has proved proportionably fatal. There has occurred in this District an excess of
nine deaths over that of the preceding year. Sanitary measures have hitherto exercised but
little influence in preventing this disease. It visits the square and the mansion, alike with
the court and crowded street. The health of those attacked will modify its mortality; and,
hence, the benefit of sanitary measures, as by them the general health will bo improved.
Dr. Budd has lately promulgated a plan by which ho says scarlet fever may bo localised,
and its spread prevented. To prove the truth of this, further experience will be needed.
Anyhow, his proposals could not always be put into operation.
Fever has proved fatal in forty-eight cases in this district, whilst in the Metropolis the
deaths amounted to 2,483. The deaths registered from this disease in 1864-5, were one
hundred and twenty-eight; in 1865-6, fifty-one; in 1866-7, thirty-eight; and in 1867-8,
thirty-four. It has now become an unquestioned fact that fever, by which annually in England