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3. That in Bethnal Green the epidemic ratio was higher
by nearly 6 per cent.
4. That where London lost an inhabitant from Consumption
in every 369, Bethnal Green lost but 1 in 419.
5. That where, in like manner, London lost from Fever
1 in 786, Bethnal Green had the greater loss of 1 in 683.
6. That of every 1000 living infants under five years of
age, London lost about 8 less than Bethnal Green.
You will see by these "sensitive tests" how inauspicious
our retrospect is, and how sadly we retrograded last year.
"Brief as the ephemera" was our Infant life—1311 Infants
departed from us and left our homes for evermore!
Hence it will tax our best energies to fortify that life, on which
the future of Bethnal Green must so largely depend. And "as
it is the home that makes the man," we must therefore make
our homes "elements of health and long life." When preventive
agencies are fully brought to bear on the physical evils
which tell so fearfully on infant life, there will be less generation
of, and predisposition to, disease, and the mortality under
the age of five, will correspondingly be reduced. Then shall
we suffer less from such "terrible correctives" as the 690
Epidemic Deaths in 1862.—Then, too, there will be more grow
up; we shall have an "increased proportion of adults who are
of the age, and strength, and skill, for productive industry,
and an extended period during which each occupies his post."
I have the honor to be,
Rev. Sir and Gentlemen,
With great respect, very faithfully yours,
SAMUEL PEARCE,
Medical Officer of Health.
To the Rector and the Gentlemen of the Vestry of
Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green.