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35
BATTERSEA WEST.
In presenting my annual report on the health of this
Sub-district, I have to observe that, whereas the Death-rate
during the past three years remained steadily at a fraction
over 17 per 1000, it has this year increased considerably.
This increase is due to two causes—1st, an Epidemic of
Scarlet Fever, prevalent during the last six months of the
year ; a reference to the mortality table will show that 49
persons succumbed to this disease, as against 5 in the
previous year. Secondly, to a large amount of Lung
disease, which prevailed during the first quarter, and which
was especially fatal amongst young children and aged
persons. Nearly double the number of Males than
Females were registered from these diseases, no doubt
owing to their exposure during their occupations to the
ever varying climatic changes we so much experience in
England. Phthisis also may be especially mentioned as
having caused a large increase of deaths. With these
latter diseases, as sanitarians, we have comparatively little
to do, though there is no doubt that properly ventilated
rooms, well drained houses, and cleanliness, tend very
materially to the recovery of a person so afflicted. But it is
very different when a disease of an Epidemic or preventible
nature is raging; here the sanitarian steps in, and his
means, if efficiently used, are of untold benefit; he succeeds
not only in limiting the disease, but in a great measure
checking its progress. But we must look forward, and
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