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this low zymotic death-rate, as zymotic diseases are
par excellence preventible diseases, and those with which
therefore sanitarians are particularly concerned.
In the following pages details are given of the vital
statistics and sanitary work of the past year, from
which a more complete knowledge of the sanitary
condition of Clapham may be obtained.
Population.
The first requisite in ascertaining the various
rates of mortality and vitality, is an accurate knowledge
of the population. Owing to our being midway between
two census enumerations this is impossible; but in the
following estimate the plan adopted by the Registrar
General is followed. Assuming the rate of increase to
be the same as in the decade previous to the last census
the population of this sub-district in the middle of 1885
was 40,832.
Births and
Birth-rate.
The number of births registered was 1,030,
of which 511 were males and 519 females.
The annual birth-rate was 25.22 per thousand of the
estimated population, which (see table I.) was the lowest
for ten years. The birth-rate for the whole Metropolis
was 32.6 per thousand, the lowest rate on record since
1850.
Deaths and
Death-rate.
During the year 1885, 508 deaths, 237 of
males and 271 of females, were registered in
the sub-district. These are equivalent to an annual
death-rate of 12.14 per thousand, the lowest hitherto
recorded in Clapham. (See table). The death-rate for