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8
The reduction in the last upon the preceding number may be due to the fact that
in these very close localities, children play about more or less in the streets and
courts.
I think that it is a fair conclusion from these facts to say that all of the influence
considered have an effect upon the death-rate of children, old enough to run about
and play, and who require plenty of fresh air and light if they are to grow up healthy
and strong : that the more poverty there is in any district, the larger the population
of the houses the children live in, the more exposed they are to intimate association
with other children living in the same house, and from whom they may contract
contagious maladies, and especially the less open space there is about their dwellings,
and the less opportunity there is for direct sun-light to reach-the streets, &c., the
higher is the mortality between the ages under consideration. It may also perhaps
be concluded that where free ventilation and access of direct sun-light and sufficient
play room are denied to children by close buildings, it matters little what the relative
degree of closeness may be, the mortality in the two closest districts, not differing
greatly, while both sets of districts contrast strongly in mortality with the more open
districts, being nearly double in amount. In view of this result we may well regret
that the formation of the Finsbury Park was so long delayed, as at last to lead to its
location at a distance from the more densely populated portions of our parish. It
should also lead you to guard most jealously from encroachment by buildings, etc.
the few open spaces, however small, now left to us in the parts of the parish most
built over, and to seize upon every opportunity that presents itself to reserve, whereever
new buildings are contemplated, as much open space for public benefit as can by
any means be kept free.
Next as to Children under One Year of age.
1. The influence of poverty and its attendant circumstances.
In the 4 districts of group 1. together such deaths occurred in 17.7 per 1000 of the
„ 10 „ „ 2. „ 23.6 „ [families
„ 7 „ „ 3 „ 29.4 „
The difference of death-rate between these groups is sufficiently obvious to show
that some influence is exerted by the circumstances of life of the parents of the
infants, but the influence is on the whole not so strongly marked as with older
children.
2. Influence of crowding as measured by the average number of persons in a house.
In 15 districts where every 10 houses lodge on an average 60 and under 80 persons.
Such deaths occurred in 22.3 per 1000 of the families.
„ 5 districts 80 and under 100 persons.
Such deaths occurred in 27.2 per 1000 of the families.
„ 1 district over 100 persons.
Such deaths occurred in 54.8 per 1000 of the families.
Although this sort of crowding evidently exerts some influencs, it is again less
with such young infants than with older children,