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14
The free intercourse between the inhabitants of the various
parishes, must tend especially to the diffusion of contagious
maladies. The deaths occurring in the entire metropolis during
the year were 73,460, those of the preceding year having been
77,723; so that the year was healthier than the preceding year
throughout the Metropolis.
The most important diseases in a sanitary point of view, are
the Zymotic diseases, as the mortality from them is to a great
extent preventible. Assuming that the spread of these diseases
by infection or contagion is to some extent unavoidable, the
mortality resulting from them will mainly depend upon the
sanitary state of the localities in which they occur. If the
dwellings be clean, not overcrowded, the water pure, foul accumulations
be prevented, and a general cleanly state of the occupants
be preserved, the mortality resulting from Zymotic diseases will
be small. While if the dwellings be dirty, and overcrowded, the
water be kept in foul reservoirs, and offensive matters be retained
in and about the house, the mortality from these diseases will be
very great. It is no uncommon circumstance to enter a house,
or an apartment, and to perceive at once, the Typhus-smell.
Not perhaps that Typhus may be there; but if the infection
should be brought into the house, it will be sure to cause great
mortality, and to spread largely; and this not only in the case of
Typhus, but that of any Zymotic disease. The great aim of
sanitary measures is to find out these localities, and they are
pretty well known, and to remove from them all unsanitary and
unfavourable influences.
In a poor population they are very numerous, as poverty
and the general depression resulting from it, tend to render the
members listless and careless in regard to the concern even of
their lives.
By reference to page 12, it will be seen that the mortality
from Zymotic diseases has fallen considerably. A corresponding
diminution in the mortality resulting from the most common and
fatal of them is also noticeable. It will also be noticed that the
latter mortality for the preceding 4 years amounted to very
nearly the same numbers.
The number of deaths occurring from Small Pox was 12;
19 cases were sent to the Small Pox Hospital in the year, one
having died. As this disease prevailed considerably in the early
part of the year, the hand-bills directing to vaccination and the
vaccine stations, were posted freely throughout the Parish.
The deaths from Measles fell remarkably from 73 to 27;