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27
little change of air; and whose breathing space at night
is too often utterly inadequate. The deaths at home amongst
this class of our fellow parishioners in these streets
during the past year were 241, or at the rate of 18.5 per
1,000 per annum. One half under 5. During the preceding
four years they were 251, 293, 269, and 279
respectively, or at the rate of 19.3, 22.4, 20.3, and 21.46
per 1,000 living per annum. This is exclusive of the
deaths in hospitals and workhouses.
To this comparative statement, we venture to call
attention, inasmuch as it shews the fallacy of all broad
and unsifted statements as to mortality, and shews that
in our own parish, the mortality of the inhabitants of the
artizan class, and the conditions which lead to mortality,
are widely different from those of the upper classes.
Mortality of Belgravia. The deaths at home, (i.e. exclusive
of deaths in workhouses and hospitals) in the present
year were 880; against 813 in the year ending March
31, 1858; 948 in 1859; and 926 in 1860. The gross
rate of mortality (i.e. taking in the whole deaths in St.
George's Hospital) was 21.9 per 1000 living.
Causes of Death. The deaths from zymotic disease this
year have been 291, last year 346; from small-pox 6,
last year 8 ; from scarlatina, diphtheria, and other forms
of fever, with throat disease, 53; against 109, 75, and
82 in the preceding years respectively; from fevers 39,
against 59, 57, and 44; from diarrhœa, dysentery, and
cholera 34, against 76, 48, and 83; from teething, convulsions,
consumption, water in the head, mesenteric disease,
and scrofula 334, against 346, 395, and 353 in the last
three years.
The Infantile Mortality, that truest test of the physical
stamina, morals, domestic comforts, well-being, and