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26
The deaths registered during the year 1881 in the
Eastern division of the parish of Battersea included
those of 476 males and 490 females. The total number
of deaths was 966, and the death-rate on the now accurately
ascertained population afforded by the census, was
16 8 per thousand persons residing in the sub-district
during the year. This is a very considerable reduction
in the rate of mortality to that which prevailed in the
year 1880, which was 1S 9 per thousand.
It is a matter of much gratification to find that in
spite of the rapidly increasing population, the mortality
keeps down to that of a healthy rural district; this is
due in all probability to the large open spaces, excellent
sub-soil of sand or gravel, efficient drainage provided by
the authorities, and last, but not least, to the untiring
energy displayed by the Board and its officers in the
removal of nuisances and the prevention of epidemic
influences injurious to the health of the inhabitants.
And indeed much assistance is now derived from the
general public, who are more alive to the necessity of
sanitary measures than at any previous period, and more
ready to assist those charged with the care of the public
health.
Ages at death.—The deaths of infants under one
year of age were 352, equal to 36 per cent of the deaths
at all ages. Under five years of age 559 deaths were recorded,
or 57 per cent. of the total deaths; being 89 fewer
in number, and 5 per cent. less in proportion to the total
deaths, than during 1880.
Above 80 years of age 21 persons died. There is
nothing remarkable except the usually large preponderance
of females over males which is always found to
exist in deaths at advanced ages.