London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Islington 1868

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Parish of St Mary]

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REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF ST. MAM, ISLINGTON,
FOR MAY, 1868.
No. CXXXIII.
The mortality registered during May in Islington has been in exact
accordance with the average death-rate of the corresponding four weeks
during the previous ten years. Three hundred and twelve deaths were
recorded, of which eighty were attributed to maladies of the zymotic
class. But even this number is not in excess of the average zymotic
death-rate of the month, although it fully comes up to it.
This has been a very remarkable month for heat and dryness.
According to Mr. Glaisher, the mean temperature of the air has each
week exceeded the average of the corresponding week for fifty years
past: the first week it was 4.1°, in the second 1.9°, in the third 6.0°, and
in the fourth 5.9° in excess of the average. The maximum temperature
registered in my garden during the month was 86.75° on May 19th; on
the same day at Greenwich Mr. Glaisher registered 87° as the
maximum, a temperature (as he tells us) higher than has been recorded
in the month of May as far back as authentic records extend.
In accordance with what I believe to be the rule under such
conditions, it will be observed that the amount of general sickness
prevalent during the month has been unusually great when compared
with that noted in previous and cooler Mays.
A fatal case of cholera in Brand Street, mentioned in one of the
Registrar-General's Reports, occurred at a house where the disease has
appeared before ; the proper steps were taken to disinfect the clothing
and premises. An outbreak of measles of a local character has happened
in the neighbourhood of Elder Walk and the Essex Road, but it
appears to be now subsiding.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Vestry Offices,
June 1st, 1S6S.