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REPORT
ON THE
SANITARY CONDITION OF ST. MARY, ISLINGTON,
FOR NOVEMBER, 1868.
No. CXXXIX.
Although I have registered a large amount of general sickness during
the past four weeks, it has not been of a character to express itself to
an unusual extent in our mortuary table. The deaths registered
amounted to 318, and the diseases which were more than usually fatal
were mostly those of a chronic and lingering character, such as cancer,
consumption, heart disease, and paralysis. The corrected mean
mortality of the corresponding period, during ten years past, is 354.
Referring to our sickness table, which year by year becomes more
perfect and reliable, it will be found that measles has been very
prevalent among our population, 109 cases having been recorded,
87 cases in 1862 being the highest number yet registered in the month
of November: still even these have not materially affected our deathrate,
since only thirteen deaths from this disease are recorded, five less
than were recorded in the corresponding weeks of 1862.
Again, scarlet fever, which has been prevailing largely in London,
has touched us but lightly. I have only registered thirty cases among
the recipients of eleemosynary medical aid, unless, indeed—as is probably
the case—a large number of the 110 cases registered as ''sorethroat"
were cases of scarlet fever without rash: still this would show that
with us the epidemic has been of a mild character. The same seems to
be shown by the fact that only seventeen deaths from scarlet fever have
been registered throughout the Parish. Now I do not think I am given
to exaggerate the benefits conferred by preventive proceedings,—I very
rarely allude to them, preferring to allow them to make their own way
into your consciousness. I am far too deeply impressed with the