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6
Parish of Saint George the Martyr, Southwark.

The Zymotic class of diseases are the most fatal; then follow Lung diseases; from the
former 309 persons have perished from the latter 290. Zymotic diseases are mainly preventable,
hence their gradual decrease may be anticipated. However, during the year now
ended, they caused 78 more deaths than in the preceding year, and this increase was
brought about Chiefly by an excess of deaths from measles. In the year 1872-3 there were
registered 8 deaths from this disease, whilst in the year 1873-4 there were registered 57
deaths, making the large increase of 49. From diarrhoea 38 more died than in the year
1872-3; and 18 more from Whooping-cough. The deaths from Fever were very few. But
the number of deaths here placed, does not include the whole number who have died from
this disease, inasmuch as many sufferers are removed to the Fever Hospital, where if they
die, their deaths are registered. The deaths recorded in the Table are those who have died
in their own homes. Nevertheless, the deaths from Fever have greatly diminished, and
will continue to diminish. In the year 1863-4, 113 deaths, and in the year 1864-5, 128
deaths occurred from this disease in this District. These doubtless were exceptional years,
but they show to what a height the tide of death from Fever has risen. This disease has
proved a greater cause of pauperism and distress than any other, as it so often strikes down
the heads of families, leaving a helpless offspring whose future must mainly be the Workhouse.
But, besides its cost, there is to be considered the suffering undergone, and which
no table of mortality reveals, or can reveal. The late accomplished physician, Dr. Southwood
Smith, who knew more about fever both from experience and observation than any
man of his day, said of it," that it was one of the most painful maladies to which the
human frame was subject."