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10
Parish of Saint George the Martyr, Southwark.
Always consumption has headed the death list, but this year bronchitis has gone
beyond it; 128 deaths were attributed to the former, whilst to the latter were attributed
149. No other disease comes nigh these as cause of death.
The mortality from diseases of the digestive organs varies very little. Indeed its
regularity is remarkable.
Out of the 11,119 deaths, 42 were registered from premature birth and debility.
Twelve infants, their ages ranging from 11 days to 5 months, were suffocated, one of them
from being too closely wrapped in a shawl. Two males and three females, aged respectively
2, 12, 22, 60, and 73 years died from injury to the brain. One of the females was killed
from a blow from a stone, whence resulted a case of manslaughter. A male aged 48 years,
poisoned himself with laudanum; and two women, aged 59 and 63 years, hung themselves.
The deaths under 5 years of age, were 567, at 40 to 80 years 321, and 36 at 80 years and
upwards. Two females reached 90, and 93, and one male 95 years.
The regulations made by the Water Companies, and sanctioned by the Board of Trade,
will prove so costly as to amount to a prohibition of obtaining a constant water supply,
which was perhaps the end designed. The apparatus will it is said cost more than £10 for
a cottage, and for a large west end house £60 and upwards. This cost to obtain one of the
necessaries of life is far too great. But what is more, the efficiency and durability of the
required apparatus, is considered doubtful. The outlay at first will be large, and to keep
the machinery in order, continuous. Concerning the Water-waste Preventers now being
placed in some parts of the district, I cannot say much at present; but I anticipate great
benefit from their general use. One will be set up in the Vestry Hall, for the inspection of
those who wish to learn their purpose and structure
The Slaughter-houses, Cow-sheds, and Bakeries have been duly visited according to
the requirements of the several Acts, and the necessary sanitary measures carried out
There is gradual improvement; but no improvement could make some of them what we
should desire, owing to structural difficulties.
* The tons figured, are so many tons of impurity in 100,000 tons of water.