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REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION
of the parishes of
St. Margaret and St. John Westminster,
DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 1858,
by
BARNARD HOLT, F.R.C.S.
Medical Officer of Health.
To the Members of the District Board of Works.
Gentlemen,
I am happy to be enabled to inform you there is a
decrease in the number of Deaths of the present as compared
with the previous month, and with February of last year.
Scarlet Fever, Measles and Hooping Cough have considerably
abated, and the diseases of the respiratory organs are diminished.
There, however, continues a very large mortality amongst
children under 5 years of age, and the present month shows
that out of 146 Deaths as arising from every cause and
occurring at all ages, no less than 81 have died under 5years:
this is so large a proportion that I am endeavouring to
ascertain the cause, and as far as [ can at present gather, this
mortality appears mainly attributable to the filthy habits of
the parents, the overcrowding of rooms, and the general neglect
of the children; but a more extended enquiry is necessary
before arriving at any definite conclusion.