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39
Measles.—This disease which has also raged epidemically over
London since 1876, attacked a great number of children in the district,
and proved very fatal, for no less than 51 died during the year,
more than double the annual average for the last ten years.
Scarlet Fever.—16 deaths were recorded from this disease,
against 31 and 48 for the two preceding years, and 24 less than the
yearly average.
Whooping-Cough—which had been extremely fatal during the
previous year, caused only 12 deaths in 1877, and 30 below the
average.
Diarriicea.—49 persons died from this disease, 19 below the
average, a lower number than has been recorded for many years past.
Fever (Including Typhus, Typhoid, and Simple continued.)
—There were 17 deaths from fever (all cases of Typhoid), including
1 death in Stockwell Hospital; 4 belonged to St. George, Bloomsbury,
10 to St. Giles South, and 3 to St. Giles North.
The annual average for 10 years was 26'9
Metria (Puerperal Fever).—13 women died from Ibis disease
a few days after their confinements; 6 of the deaths occurred in the
British Lying-in Hospital, Endell Street; the other 7 in various parts
of the district.
The deaths from the other Zymotic Diseases, viz., Diphtheria 3;
Croup 4; Erysipelas 3 ; Syphilis 8; and Rheumatism 7 ; require no
comment.
Sanitary Work.
During the year, Sanitary Inspectors O'Donnell and Walters, made
more than 10,000 visits, and superintended the carrying out of the
various orders of your Board for improving the sanitary conditions of
houses and premises in the district; a full account of which will be
found in the Appendix table, No. VI.; a large amount of sanitary work,
however, in addition, such as the removal of nuisances, cleansing of
premises, &c., is effected by the inspectors without any necessity for
the formal order of the Board.
Proceedings under the Sanitary Acts.—The several cases
which were taken before the Police Magistrates by your order, related
to sanitary defects of an ordinary sort and require but little notice.
The Magistrates convicted the defendants with costs in every case,
and ordered the necessary works to be completed within a certain
specified time.
Overcrowding.—Many cases of overcrowding were discovered by
the sanitary inspectors, who at once served notices upon the owners
of the premises to reduce the numbers, which as a rule were promptly
obeyed.
Underground Dwellings.—Notices were also served upon owners
to close rooms occupied as underground sleeping rooms, contrary to
law.