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14
measure, in some degree, of the sanitary condition of that
locality; inasmuch as its constant presence in any neighbourhood,
is a tolerably sure indication that there is some local
cause, such as overcrowding, bad drainage, want of ventilation,
or accumulations of filth, which encourages its presence.
In the last year 19 deaths were ascribed to fever in this
parish, 4 in Camberwell, 4 in St. George's and 11 in Peckham.
This, supposing the population has not increased, is at the rate
of .035 per cent. I have already shown that, although four or
five individual districts have grown more rapidly than Camberwell
during the last ten years, all London has increased much
less rapidly, and so also have each of the five groups of districts;
and hence, if their mortality be compared with that of
Camberwell for any year subsequent to the last census,
without in either case allowing for increase of population, it is
clear that the disadvantage will be on the side of Camberwell.
I have calculated their fever death rate on the assumption that
no increase of population has taken place, and I find that while
the fever mortality in Camberwell was only 3.5 in 10,000, that
of all London was at the rate of 11.1 in 10,000, that of the
southern districts was 8.2, that of the western 8.7, that of the
central 9.8, and that of the eastern 16.5 in 10,000. For the
northern districts the rate was 12.5 in 10,000, but since the
Fever Hospital is situated in one of them, the mortality for
this group is fallaciously high, and therefore I have not included
it in my comparison. The above extracts prove that fever is
not one of the scourges of the southern districts, and that Camberwell
by comparison is peculiarly exempt (See Table VIII)
from its ravages.
There is then, Gentlemen, cause for congratulation; we have
been blessed with a year of unusual healthiness; our Parish is
not only more salubrious than most of the parishes which are
our immediate neighbours, but during ordinary seasons is
undoubtedly, I believe, one of the healthiest in London; our
infantile mortality is not high compared with that of other
districts, and fever appears to touch us but lightly. Tet,
if we look with a scrutinizing glance, at certain facts,
which the mortuary tables disclose, we find ample matter for
deep and anxious consideration. In Dulwich 13 persons died
in 1000, in Peckham and in St. George's 20 ; in Dulwich two
children died in 1000, in Peckham and St. George's between