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13
BATTERSEA,
I regret to state the health of the sub-district compared
with that of the previous year is not so favourable.
The amount of sickness that prevailed is less, but the rate of mortality
greater; which last is attributable to a very severe and fatal epidemic of
scarlet fever, that prevailed in the last two quarters, and which has been
much increased by the unhealthy practice of pig-keeping—a very general
custom in the parish, and to which I took occasion to direct the attention
of your Board in November last.
It is remarkable, but nothing more than could have been expected,
that the mortality fell with great violence on pig-keeping districts—particularly
on localities where it is most general and most crowded. Of
the total number of cases of sickness from all causes (918) that occurred
amongst the out-door poor receiving parochial relief, 27 resulted in death ;
15 of which were of the zymotic class, chiefly scarlet fever. Of this
disease there were 162 cases, mostly occurring within the last two months
of the year.
Of the 9 cases of death from diphtheritis registered, not one occurred
amongst the union poor, nor have I witnessed a case of this disease
amongst them.
Of the 380 deaths registered, 75 occurred in the workhouse, 26 were
found by Coroner's Inquisition, 18 of them from violence, and 8 of them
sudden, from natural causes.
In the subjoined Table is exhibited the number of deaths, classified
according to age, sex, and social position.