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quennium, 1886—90, were 47 only : those in the previous quinquennial
period, 1881—85, were 5590. The mortality from this
cause during each of the past five years was less, not merely
relatively to population but absolutely, than in any previous year
since the present system of civil registration began; the years which
most nearly approach the figures above given being 1875 (46
deaths), 1874 (57 deaths), 1873 (113 deaths), and 1883 (136
deaths). The mean annual mortality in the decennium 1880—89
was 0.16 per 1000 persons living, and lower than in any previous
decennium. It is probable that the diminution in small-pox
mortality in the Metropolis during the last five years was largely
due to the perfected system of removal of the sick direct from
their homes to the hospital ships, situated as these are outside
the London Registration District—-a system which was initiated
upon my recommendation, made to the Asylums Board and
the Local Government Board in 1881.
MEASLES.
The deaths from measles in 1889 were 14 only, the smallest
total on record. It is not surprising, therefore, that there should
have been a greatly increased mortality from this cause in 1890 ;
and, in fact, the deaths registered, 140, were more numerous
than in any previous year on record, and were 66 above the
corrected decennial average. Only 12 of the deaths were
registered in the Brompton sub-district. All but 5 occurred under
five years of age—27 only under one year. The excessive fatality
was first manifested at the end of April, and as it came to an end
at the beginning of September, the epidemic may be said to have
been comprised within twenty weeks. Nineteen deaths were
registered in the four weeks, April 20th—May 17th ; 48 in the
following four weeks, May 18th—.June 14th ; 38 between June
15th and July 12th; 20 between July 13th and August 9th ; and
8 in the four weeks August 10th—September 6th. In the
remaining 33 weeks of the year, there were but seven deaths from
this cause (vide Table, page 18).