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46
Although but two deaths from fever were registered in
the parish during the past year*, the Union Medical Eelief
Book tells of a somewhat serious outbreak of this malady
in the autumn quarter. Several cases both in public ;ind
private practice occurred in localities peculiarly exposed to
the emanations referred to, and it is therefore hoped that the
statement of such a fact, borne out, as it must be, by the
experience of all my colleagues, will be sufficient to justify
a special enquiry into the matter.
Disease and mortality amongst the Union Poor.—It is
shown in Table V., Appendix, that there was about the
average per centage of deaths to cases treated.
The number of cases of disease and accident treated
during the past year was 494, and the number of resulting
deaths 19, which is 3.9 per cent.
With the increase of population there must necessarily
be looked for an increase in the number of applicants for
medical relief, and it is therefore all the more satisfactory
to find that the mortality amongst the very poor does not
increase in the same ratio as the population enlarges. It is
also satisfactory to be able to speak well of the sanitation
carried out of late in the poorer neighbourhoods, and of its
evident effect in controlling the virulency, and consequently
in lessening the fatality of many of those diseases that were
formerly looked upon as being almost the exclusive inheritance
of the indigent.
Inquest*—Accidental and Violent Deaths.—It is somewhat
singular that all the Coroner's inquiries during 1868 (6
in number) were to investigate deaths caused by immersion
in the river Thames. Of cases of accidental drowning whilst
bathing, there were 2; of violent deaths by accidentally
falling into the water 1; whilst open verdicts of " found
dead in the water, without any evidence to show how the
deceased became immersed,"were returned in 3 instances.
Summary of Sanitary Proceedings.—In my last report, I
ventured to make a few remarks upon the benefits likely to