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was in good order. The spread and fatality of the disease must therefore
mainly be attributed to the overcrowding. The same remarks will
apply to Scarlet Fever.
The numbers of deaths in infants and children under five years
of age has increased from 624 to 707. Increase must necessarily have
occurred, as children are the principal sufferers from Zymotic diseases.
I am quite certain that this extensive mortality might be greatly
reduced by confining young children to a milk-diet. Among the poor,
where often the mother has to work, the young children are not properly
nursed, but fed upon too dry and too thick food. This causes enlargement
of the glands of the abdomen, permanently impairing the nutrition
of the body, and rendering it an easy prey to Zymotic diseases, as well
as to infantile consumptive diseases—from which 111 deaths arose in the
year under five, exclusive of 28 children of servants, dressmakers, and
artificial flower-makers, which have undoubtedly arisen from this cause.
The deaths at and above 60, were 318, against 229 in 1860.
The deaths from consumptive diseases have risen from 253 in
1860, to 279.
The deaths from Pulmonary diseases were 284. against 328 in
1860.
The deaths in the workhouse increased from 120 in 1859, and
137 in 1860, to 160 in 1861.
20 deaths occurred in the House of Correction, against 15 in the
preceding year. None took place in the House of Detention.
The accidental deaths were 17 against 22 in 1860 ; 6 arising from
the " accidental suffocation " of infants ; 5 from burns and scalds ; and
5 from fractures and contusions.
Three infants were murdered. Four deaths arose from suicide
against 9 in the preceding year, viz.: 1 from a wound, 1 from poison,
and 2 from hanging.
Two deaths arose from intemperance, against 5 in 1860.
73 patients were sent by the Parochial authorities to the Fever
Hospital, and 7 to the Small Pox Hospital during the year.
Slaughter-Houses— The 47 slaughter-houses, kept by 45
butchers, were inspected previously to the granting of licenses as usual.
They were mostly in good order.
Great complaint was made of the nuisance arising from the
slaughter-house at 46, Exmouth Street: and on the complaint of an
annoyed neighbour to the Magistrates at the Sessions, the license was
suspended for a month.
Vaults.—The coffins in the vaults of St. Mark's Church still
remain as they were. The Order in Council for their interment was
issued in January, 1860, but I am unacquainted with the reason why it has
not been obeyed I believe that Clerkenwell is the only Parish in the
metropolis in which these orders have not been long since carried out.
Sanitary Improvements.—The following sanitary improvements
in the drainage &c. of the district have been effected during the year: