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Lave taken place in the district during the year, and others are
still in progress, yet there are some most important noxious influences
which have been allowed to proceed unchecked. These
arise from the want of facilities for washing and purifying the foul
linen, bedding, &c. of the poor. All who are in the habit of visiting
the poor, must have perceived the offensive effluvia filling the
rooms in which they dwell; often defeating the efforts of the
medical practitioner, and increasing the mortality and diffusion of
zymotic diseases. The want of Baths and Wash-houses is greatly
felt in the district, and their supply would truly be a vast benefit
to the poorer classes.
In conclusion, I may congratulate the Vestry upon the extent
of the improvements which have been effected, and express a hope
that their continued efforts may be still urged, and as successfully.
The mortality of the district is below the average, even when the
increase of population is excluded from consideration; this is satisfactory.*
But the Vestry in their visitations of the dwellings of
the poor, must feel that there is yet room for vast improvement,
find that the present average mortality should really belong to a
population very much larger than that now inhabiting the district,
1 have the honour to remain,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. W. Griffith, M.D.
* On comparing the present mortality of the districts of the Metropolis in
general, with that of ten years ago, it is curious to observe that in what may
be called the old established districts, the present mortality is the same or less
than it was; whilst in the newer districts it is often amazingly on the increase,
as shown by a few examples. Thus
Districts. Mortality in 1848. Mortality in 1857.
Hampstead 195 280
Islington 1745 2631
Lewishara 582 801
Holborn 1215 1144
Clerkenwell 1441 1406
St. Luke's 1335 1330
London City 1024 877
Surely the enormous increase in the mortality of the first three districts does not
depend simply upon increase of population. Probably the real explanation is,
that in the latter districts, sanitary improvements are progressing faster than
the evils connected with increase of population are augmenting; whilst in the
former, the reverse is the case.