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12
The proportion of deaths among the better classes
has again increased from the low rates of last year.
Sickness and Mortality among the Union Poor.—The
fifth table in the Appendix contains all necessary information
as to the sickness and mortality among the Union Poor.
The rate of mortality is 4.0 per cent, being slightly less
than last year. The total number of cases has increased
by 450, so that the decrease in mortality is very gratifying.

This constitutes 3.7 per cent of the total deaths, as
compared with 4.2 and 5.0 per cent in 1878 and 1877
respectively. We confess we do not find much satisfaction
in this reduction of inquests, when we find that no
less than 89 persons died and were buried without attendance,
certificate, or inquest. The number of deaths so
summarily disposed of increases year by year, while the
number of inquests steadily diminishes. No doubt a
saving of time is effected to the Coroner, and some expense
avoided, by this economical arrangement; but is life
rendered more secure, and crime made more difficult?
The majority of those deaths are of children, and a large
proportion of them are not even submitted to the
Coroner. Of these, 69 occurred in Battersea; 9 in Clapham;
6 in Wandsworth, and 5 in Putney.