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56
REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF ST. MARY, ISLINGTON,
FOR NOVEMBER, 1864.
No. XCII.
The deaths for four weeks have again risen to nineteen above the
corrected mean for November. But it is to be remarked with this fact,
that the number of cases of sickness has not risen proportionately to the
mortality, but has been smaller than in October. The deaths in four
weeks have risen from 216 in October to 308, while the cases of sickness
have fallen from 2370 to 2286. I should be disposed to infer from
this, and also from the fact that the whole of the excess of mortality is
foundunder the head of " local diseases," that the cold foggy weather at
the commencement of the month, while it doubtless for the time
increased our sickness, and especially the number of cases of chest
disease, operated more in the way of hastening the death of weakly
persons, chiefly of those who were the subjects of chronic disease. The
mortality from zymotic diseases has been by no means unusually large.
Judging from the table of sickness, however, small-pox appears to be
on the increase. It is right that the public should be aware that the
contagion still lurks amongst us, and that those who would be safe from
its influence must look to the vaccination of their children, and, where
necessary, to their own re-vaccination also. It is a good practical rule
for all persons to renew their protection on arriving at adult age. The
mortality from scarlet fever, though greater than in October, has not
exceeded our usual November average.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Vestry Offices,
December 2nd, 1864.