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2
The zymotic deaths this year in London were 1,429, only less
numerous by 32 than in October last year, when in Islington there were
only half as many zymotic deaths as in October last year ; and, amongst
zymotic causes, we find that while in London, scarlet fever produced
363 deaths as against 550 in the corresponding weeks last year, Islington
exhibits only 15 deaths as against 40 from this disease last year. In
London, too, both the constitutional diseases and those of the developmental
class were more fatal than last year, while in Islington they have
been less fatal.
The contrast between the mortality in October this year and that in
October last year is thus so great that it becomes important to ascertain
the cause of the difference, and probably we shall not be far wrong in
seeking for it mainly in the difference of meteorological conditions
observed during each October and the weeks immediately preceding.
1. The barometric pressure was higher than last year during the last
week of September and the first half of October.
2. The month of September was warmer and the first two weeks of
October were colder than last year.
3. The wind during September, and a great part of October, last year
was S.W., and only occasionally during October S.E., always
Southerly on one side or the other.
This year the wind, which had been S.W. during the first four
weeks of September, became variable in the last week of
September and during October, when the wind was frequently
E., N., N.E., and N.W. The air then was purer.
4. Very little rain fell during the month of October, none during the
last week of September and the first two weeks of October. The
atmospheric humidity was less during all October than last year.
5. Much less ozone was observed in the atmosphere during September
and October than last year.
This, for us, was ahealthy combination of circumstances.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Vestry Offices,
October 8th, 1864.