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4
ances for St. George's Hospital, there have been 80 deaths
this year in excess of last year. Nevertheless, there are
not so many by about 38, as there were in the corresponding
period of 1855.
This increased mortality has been spread as nearly as
possible equally over each sub-district of the parish; we
may say, over the whole of the western part of London.
Moreover, it has fallen almost equally upon every age, except
that there is a slightly greater increase of deaths under 20.
But, when we cast our eye over the quarterly table,
dated March 27, 1858, and compare it with that dated
March 28, 1857, we see the increase readily accounted for by
one or two significant items. Every malady affecting the
organs of breathing has been more fatal this year. Measles
this year have destroyed 32 against 5 last year; and lung
diseases 141 against 87.
Hooping-cough has destroyed 15, typhus 12, scarlatina,
with diphtherite and quinsy (maladies which spend their
virulence on the throat) 18. The diphtherite is a new name
for an old disease, heretofore called ulcerated, or putrid sore
throat; and sometimes mistaken for croup, or quinsy.
Two deaths from these maladies happened in one house
in Weaver's Court, and two (of a mother and child) in
Shepherd's Place. Scrofulous maladies, together with inflammation
of the brain in children, convulsions, and teething
carried off 90. Two deaths only have been given registered
from bowel disorder. Amongst the miscellaneous causes, we
may notice 12 deaths of prematurely born children (including
two separate twins in the Hanover Sub-district) ; five
children of single women starved for want of breast milk;
one male infant exhausted from insufficient nourishment;