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58
and of other calculations is dependent on that of the
population, it is desirable to determine the latter with as
much accuracy as possible. According to the method
of calculation adopted, by the Registrar-General, which is
based on the assumption that the population has increased
since the period of the last census, in the same geometrical
ratio as it had done during the ten preceding years, the
mean number of persons iiving in the Sub-district during
the past year was 24,449. A closely approximate number
is arrived at by another mode of calculation, which (as was
explained in the Annual Report for 1875, pages 6 to 8)
consists in the employment of the ratio borne by the mean
annual number of births to the mean annual population
during a considerable period of time (20 years, 1851-71,)
as the measure of the ratio borne by the births to the
population during the year under review.
Mortality.—The total number of deaths registered
during the year was 422. 222 were of males and 200 of
females. 115 took place in public institutions; viz., in the
Surrey County Lunatic Asylum, 96; in the Hospital for
Incurables, 10; in St. Peter's Hospital, 5; in the House
of Correction, 3; and in the Patriotic Asylum for Girls,
1. 28 deaths of Wandsworth parishioners took place in
the Infirmary of the Union which were registered in
Battersea, in which parish that institution is situated.
Death-rate. — The death-rate determined by the
deaths registered and the estimated population was 17.26
per 1000 persons living on an average during the year,
and closely corresponds with that of the healthiest rural
districts. But even this very favourable rate is considerably
higher than what will be found, on further examination, to
have been the natural death-rate of the past year; for
(as explained in previous Reports) this mode of calculation,
sufficiently satisfactory under ordinary circumstances,
is affected in this Sub-district to a great extent by the