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44
BATTERSEA WEST.
The health of this Sub-district, so far as the actual
number of deaths are concerned, compares favourably with
the previous year, those returned in the year under consideration
being five less than 1875; and when it is remembered
that considerable increase in population, both
naturally and by immigration, has taken place, as shown
by the birth-rate—which is the only means excepting
actual census taking; by which a population can be estimated—we
have cause for congratulation, especially when
we consider that the great majority of our population is
made up of the working class, who, as a matter of necessity,
are much exposed to climatic changes.
With increase of population the mortality also usually
increases, as it often implies over-crowding, poverty, impurity
of air, deficiency of cleanliness, disease, &c.; but, as
will be seen by reference to the Mortality Tables, this is not
the case here. The efficient supervision in use by the Board
for the removal of all those conditions which experience
teaches us are the factors, if not of actual disease, certainly
of injury to health, which render persons more susceptible,
increase the severity of disease when it makes
its appearance, and retards convalescence, conduces greatly
to this result. Vapours, gases, and substances, are constantly
passing into the atmosphere, all more or less injurious,
directly or indirectly; it is with the gases from
sewers we are chiefly concerned, seeing what a ready
means they have of communicating with the whole District.
In order to give a ready exit to these gases, special
ventilators have been inserted at the stump-ends, but
where ever these sewer gases are generated they must find
their way amongst the people, either, if improperly trapped,
into the houses by the drains, or by the ventilators into