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28
The deaths of 481 males and 511 females in Eastern
Battersea are included in the table for 1882 with a total
mortality of 992, being a larger number of deaths by
26 than during the preceeding year. This difference of
numbers is, however, more than accounted for by the
increased population.
The death-rate for the year 1882, afforded by the
deaths of 992 persons in an official mean population
of 60,102, was but 10.48 per thousand, being a fractional
improvement upon the death-rate for 1881, viz., 16.8
per thousand. If the deaths in public institutions had
been ascertainable in the past as they will be for the
future by arrangements recently made by the Board
with the Registrar-General, there is no doubt that this
small death-rate, the smallest ever recorded, would be
somewhat increased; but even with any probable
increased mortality in this direction it would be much
lower than the annual rate of mortality for the
metropolis at large during 1882, viz., 21.4 per thousand.
The continued low rate of mortality which it has
been my privilege to report from year to year must be
the source of much gratification to the Board and its
officers, to whose exertions it is in some great measure
due. The death-rate is that of a rural district of the
best class, and can scarcely be expected to be lower;
indeed, with the increased population it is only by unremitting
efforts on the part of the Sanitary Authorities
that so desirable a condition continues to exist. There
is not the slightest doubt that an increased mortality of
2 or 3 per thousand must be looked for in the future,
more especially should the winters be inclement.
Ages at Death.—Under one year of age 352 deaths
took place, being 36 per cent, of the deaths at all ages,
and identical with that of the previous year. Under
Ave years of age a total number of 605 deaths was
registered, being equal to 61 per cent, of the whole