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The deaths from Epidemic or Zymotic diseases have increased by
41, the total number being 422; nearly three-fourths of these occurring
in infants and children under 5 years of age.
The deaths from the principal, or most fatal of these diseases,
have also increased by 35, the total number being 375; more than threefourths
of which occurred in children under 5.
The deaths from other than Zymotic diseases increased by 37.
Hence the proportional increase of deaths from Zymotic diseases
has been greater than that from the other classes of diseases.
During the early part of the year, a severe form of Typhus prevailed
extensively in the district. The principal mortality from this
disease affected in greater proportion those of more advanced age; for
15 out of 79 only were under 5 years of age. A virulent form of Scarlet
Fever was also very prevalent during the year; increasing the mortality
from this disease, which was already high, by 38 deaths.
The Epidemic or Zymotic diseases are those specially amenable
to sanitary measures, and therefore deserves the attentive consideration
of the Vestry, There are two main points to be regarded in respect to
them, viz.: their origin and diffusion, and their consequence—the large
mortality.
Very little attention is paid to the former. In fact, the most
reckless indifference exists generally among the poorer classes as to the
spreading of these diseases. Children barely recovering from them are
allowed to mix freely with healthy children, and are often sent to school,
to propagate the disease there also. And mothers with infants in their
arms are daily seen in rooms containing those who are suffering, to
convey home the infection and to diffuse it among the members of their
own family. Moreover in the case of the poorer classes, there is too
much indifference to cleanliness. But with these matters the Vestry
have little power to interfere.
The next most potent cause of the diffusion and fatality of these
diseases, is the overcrowding, and the occupation of single rooms by
entire families. When these conditions exist, it is impossible to prevent
the spread of an infectious disease ; and the sufferers exist under the
most unfavorable circumstances for ensuring a harmless attack, often 3,
4, or 5 of them being confined in one small room.
This evil has been but little interfered with, for the reason, and
which appears to have foundation, that if the occupation of rooms
throughout the district were regulated, there would not be sufficient
accommodation for the inhabitants.
Notwithstanding the existence of these unfavorable sanitary conditions
in the district, which tend to induce a heavy mortality, the latter
cannot be solely attributed to this cause ; for the Zymotic diseases which
have prevailed so extensively in this district, have also prevailed largely
in the Metropolis generally. Thus, these diseases, which produced
15,710 deaths in 1861, caused 17,869 deaths in 1862; and all those
Zymotic diseases which have been more fatal in this district, have also
been more fatal in the metropolis.