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The 24 deaths from fever are a high figure, still there is
nothing alarming in them when analyzed. We may observe
that these cases include, first, those commonly called typhoid,
which are proved to be due to severe emanations chiefly.
Second, the true typhus, the fever of filthy, over-crowded,
half-starved populations. This is intensely contagious, and
spreads anywhere; but it is the most readily controlled by
proper measures, and, we are thankful to say, is almost unknown
amongst us. Third, there is a great variety of cases
of all sorts, which look like fever, which have more or less
feverishness, exhaustion, &c., but which maybe due to almost
any disease exhaustion fatigue or cold acting on a broken
down constitution. It is said to be a common thing with
some practitioners to say that a man has "fever," or dies
with "typhoid symptoms," when the cause is really unknown.
Hence, we need not assume that every case entered as "fever"
is a true contagious case, arising from neglect of sanitary
precaution. The cases that occurred this quarter were none
in the Hanover, 3 in the May-fair; 2 of elderly gentlemen,
and 1 of an infant; 8 in the Belgrave, in Whittaker and
Aylesford streets, Hugh-street West, Warwick-street, and
Howick-terrace. In this last case low fever was associated
with diphtheria. In St. George's Hospital died 1 nurse,
1 woman of 58 from Grosvenor-place, Grosvenor-row, and 6
persons chiefly from Chelsea, Battersea, and Hammersmith.
Passing over the other cases of epidemic disease as showing
no conspicuous features, we observe that no fewer than
152 lives were lost, under circumstances indicative of debility
and degeneration; as scrofula, consumption, water in the
head, convulsions, premature birth, malformations, teething,
and atrophy and debility. Thirty-one also died of old age.
The deaths from accident were very numerous. A rare
case is that of a boy, aged 14, in Churton-place, who died in
five days of the effects of fright. A painter fell from a