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77
REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF ST. MARY, ISLINGTON,
FOR JUNE, 1860.
No. CX.
During the past month both the sickness and the mortality have
been greater than usual. The deaths in the parish, excluding those of
strangers in the hospitals, amounted to 351, a number which, although
less than that observed in June last year, nevertheless exceeds the corrected
average of ten years by 20 deaths. Among the diseases of the
zymotic class, hooping cough and measles have been, not only very prevalent,
but unusually fatal; and chest affections have been more prevalent,
and also more fatal than they usually are at this season of the year.
Small-pox also is extending. The number of cases of bowel complaint,
and the mortality from this cause, have not been excessive—a result
attributable, in part, to the fact that the month was, altogether, not a
hot one until the last week, when the mean temperature rose nearly
five degrees above the average. A severe case of cholera occurred in
Lower Holloway, fatal in 33 hours, but it exhibited no distinctive
characters beyond those of the ordinary summer cholera of this
country. There was registered a death from hydrophobia, said to be
the result of a bite from a rabid animal, inflicted five months previously.
I am glad to be able to state, from the reports made to me by our
Inspectors, that the collection of the dust is being carried out, under
the new and altered contract, much more satisfactorily than it has been
for some time past. This being the case, it appears to me that it is
needless to take any further steps, at present, in regard to alterations of
the system of dust inspection; but I shall take the liberty of recalling
your attention to my recommendations upon this subject, should a
necessity for it again arise.
You have probably observed in the public papers statements to the
effect that Asiatic Cholera has broken out afresh in certain parts of the
country, under circumstances which lead to the apprehension that the
cases which have occurred must be regarded as the first in an epidemic
outbreak. Probably in consequence of having taken this view of them,
an Order in Council has been issued, putting into force, throughout all
England, the Diseases Prevention Act, 1855. Under the 134th section
of the Metropolitan Local Management Act, and the 11th section of the
Amended Diseases Prevention Act, 1860, the Vestry is the local