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in no way diminished. The contrary is, in fact, the case. Consideration of the status
of the people and the density of the population per acre should make this evident.
As compared with the Metropolis, Shoreditch is almost three times as thickly
populated.
If the death-rates of the Borough for the past 20 years are considered, a steady
decline is noticeable. The average rate for the five years, 1891-95, was 23.4 per
1,000 population ; for the five years ending 1911, the average was 18.8, the decrease
amounting to a little short of 20 per cent. Without doubt this is satisfactory so
far as it goes. When, however, it is compared with the decrease in the death-rate
for London as a whole, which amounts to a little over 30 per cent., the average rates
for the same periods being taken, it can hardly be claimed to be altogether satisfactory.
The explanation, doubtless, lies in the character of the population and the
great density per acre in Shoreditch as compared with London. This, however,
can only be taken as an indication for greater sanitary supervision as compared
with the average requirements of the Metropolis.
Again, if we take the infantile mortalities for the same periods, the average
for the years, 1891-95, was 179 deaths of infants under one year per 1,000
births; for the 5 years ending 1911 it was 149, the decrease amounting to approximately
17 per cent. Comparing the same periods for London as a whole, the decrease
amounted to 27 per cent.
Farther, there has been a steady decline in the mortality from consumption,
which is, of course, satisfactory, but unfortunately the death-rate from this cause
in Shoreditch is 30 per cent, higher than for the Metropolis.
Generally, it may be stated that whilst the mortality statistics are markedly
improved as compared with what they were 15 to 20 years ago they none-the-less
remain much above the average for London, moreover they take their place amongst
the highest rates in the Metropolis. In the subjoined table is a comparison of the
mortality statistics of Shoreditch and London, averages for the 5 years ending
1911 being taken for the purpose :—