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9
the soil is sodden with excrement, and where the want
of ventilation maintains the malaria evolved in a
constant state of concentration. Other cases of Diarrhoea
have occurred in this locality. The fundamental
remedy, the relieving the soil^of the sewage-matter, has
already received the sanction of the Vestry. The
greatest benefit may be confidently anticipated from the
construction of new Sewers which the Vestry have determined
upon. But this cannot supersede the necessity
for other means, which will be submitted to the Vestry,
for mitigating the inherent evils of this place.
By referring to Table I., it will be seen that, of the
691 deaths, 196 or 2 in 7 took place under the age of
1 year, and 340, or nearly one-half under 5 years. A
similar high rate of infantile mortality was noticed in
my Annual Report. In healthy districts, the average
annual rate of infant mortality is considerably less.
These facts prove that infants afford the most delicate
test of the presence of unhealthy local conditions. Not
only are they more sensitive in this respect, but their
constant confinement within the sphere where these
conditions are most concentrated, namely in narrow
courts, and crowded dwellings, render them the most
ready victims.
The 32 deaths classed as "Not Specified," consist,
almost entirely, of thereturns of Coroners' Inquests. Such
terms as "Found dead," "Found dead, without marks,"
"Died by the visitation of God," as they convey no