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17
In fact, the increase is mainly owing to the larger number of
deaths from the principal Zymotic diseases, viz. : Scarlet Fever, Hooping
Cough, Diarrhoea, and Typhus, exclusive of Measles and Small Pox.
On examining the above table, it will be seen, that no deaths
arose from Small Pox, whilst in 1860, there were 10. The deaths from
Measles were 17 fewer than in 1860. Whilst those from Scarlet Fever
were 45 more, 20 being registered as arising from Diphtheria; from
Hooping Cough, also 45 more; from Diarrhoea, 34 more ; and from
Typhus, 17 more, exclusive of 17 deaths which took place in the Fever
Hospital.
This great increase in the mortality cannot be attributed to unfavourable
sanitary influences existing specially in the district, for the
same increase has occurred in the metropolis generally.
Thus, the deaths from all causes occurring in the entire metropolis
in 1861, amounted to 65,001 ; whilst they were only 61,821 in 1860;
the average of the last 10 years being 61,022. The deaths from Zymotic
diseases in the metropolis were 15,710 in 1861, against 13,001 in 1860.
And on comparing the deaths from the principal Zymotic diseases
occurring in the metropolis generally, in the year 1861 and 1860, the
deaths from Measles, were 1070 against 2054 ; those from Scarlet Fever,
3055 against 2457; from Hooping Cough, 3497 against 2023; and those
from Typhus, 1754 against 1392. So that, in the entire metropolis,
just as in this district, whilst there have been fewer deaths from Measles,
the number from Scarlet Fever, Hooping Cough and Typhus, has
largely increased.
Hence the cause of the increased mortality has been general to
the metropolis, and not special to this district.
Considering the numerous sanitary improvements which have
been made in the Parish during the last five years, it must appear striking
that the Zymotic mortality should have increased so largely. It must be
borne in mind however, that the principal sanitary improvements have
related almost exclusively to the drainage ; whilst the overcrowding and
the impure state of the dwellings of the poor have been but little interfered
with. Now as the form of Fever which has been most prevalent, viz.:
true Typhus, in opposition to Typhoid fever, is more particularly infectious,
especially where animal effluvia are abundant, we can see to a
certain extent, why the sanitary improvements already effected have not
done so much as might at first sight have been anticipated.
That the prevalence of a more than ordinarily infectious form of
fever is sufficient to produce a certain increase of mortality, has been
shown at the Fever Hospital, where every sanitary precaution is adopted,
yet three nurses have died there, and the resident medical officer has
suffered from the disease. In this district, the cases of fever have
frequently occurred many in a house, sometimes five or six, even in one
room. When occurring in this way, the houses have always been overcrowded,
mostly a separate family occupying each room, and in some
rooms, two or three deaths have occurred, and this where the drainage