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40
This serious fact is not local or accidental. It is revealed
by the numbers given by the Registrar-General in
reference to the whole of London. Two years ago I
mentioned in my report that in endeavouring to stamp
out infectious diseases we required:
I. Notification of all cases.
II. Compulsory powers for removal where no
proper lodging existed.
Last year the first step was taken, and by the Public
Health Law Amendment Bill of this session we will have
increased powers in the removal of infected persons where
it is considered necessary.
In the general mortality tables the increased figures
under Respiratory diseases account largely for our higher
mortality during the year 1890. This increase is
accounted for by the prevalence of the epidemic of
Russian Influenza during the months of January and
February especially. Besides those deaths which were
directly attributed to it, it was in my opinion responsible
for producing a lower standard of health generally.
Infantile
Mortality.
The Infantile Mortality is again high. For
every 1,000 births within the year, there were
154 deaths, which is certainly a higher number than we
ought to have. 26 of these infant deaths were attributed
to prematurity and low vitality, which is a much higher
average than usual.
Social
Position.