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REPORT
on the
SANITARY CONDITION OF SAINT PANCRAS, MIDDLESEX,
DURING JANUARY, 1857,
by
THOMAS HILLIER, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health for the Parish of Saint Pancras.
February 10th, 1857.] [No. 10.
TO THE SANITARY COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen—
There have been registered in this Parish during the five weeks that ended
on the 31st January, 413 deaths, and 612 births. From the number of deaths
seven may be deducted for persons who come to University College and the
Royal Free Hospitals from other districts, thus giving 406 as the corrected
number. The average number of deaths in the corresponding period of the
years 1846-56, was 403'6, which, if raised for increase of population, gives 441,
considerably above the present return.
Diseases of the respiratory organs have been fatal to 88 persons, of whom
38 were under 5 years of age, and 21 over 70 years; tubercular diseases have
destroyed 56 persons; and diseases of the nervous system, including 19 cases of
convulsions of infants, 50.
The diseases called Zymotic, have been fatal to 81 persons; this number
includes 20 cases of Measles, 20 of Hooping Cough, 13 of Fever, 5 of Diarrhæa,
7 of Erysipelas, 3 of Puerperal Fever, 4 of Scarlet Fever, and 2 of Small Pox.
Measles and Hooping Cough are on the increase. Low Fevers are very much
less prevalent than at this time last year; during the past month only 3 persons
have been sent to the Fever Hospital at the expense of the Parish, whilst in
January, 1856, there were 65 sent.
The mean temperature of the five weeks has been 36°.6, which is nearly
a degree below the average of ten preceding years. Eighteen days have been
colder than usual, and 17 days warmer. The lowest temperature was 180.5 on
the 28th December ; and the highest 520.7 on the 2nd January.
WORKHOUSE.
The number of deaths in this establishment during the month has been
40, of whom 15 were infants under 3 years of age, and 6 over 70 years. There
have been 4 deaths from Erysipelas, which is still prevalent in the House; and
2 deaths from Puerperal Fever during the early part of the month. I am happv
to report, that there have been no cases of this last disease for several weeks past.
At the conclusion of my last Report, I stated that Measles of a malignant
type had appeared; during the month there have been 12 deaths from this
disease. About 40 of the children have been attacked with it. As this disease
is not usually a very fatal one, under favourable hygienic circumstances to
children previously healthy, I have been at some pains to ascertain the details
of the epidemic.