View report page

REPORT.
Gentlemen,
During the thirteen weeks that ended on the 28th March, 1857,
669 deaths were registered in the Whitcchapel District. For the corresponding
period of last year, 631 deaths were registered. There has been, therefore, an
increase of 38, or about 3 weekly, in the number of deaths during the first quarter
of the current year, over that of the corresponding quarter of 1850.
The deaths from epidemic diseases for the first three months of this year were
117, against 123 for the same period of last year. As regards, therefore, the class
of epidemic or preventible diseases, there has been a diminution of 6. Only one
case of small pox (the most loathsome, and most easily prevented of all epidemics) was
recorded during the quarter recently terminated, whereas 12 cases were recorded in
the corresponding quarter of last year. The relative mortality of the several
epidemic diseases will be readily seen by referring to the tables of the Causes of
Death, Nos. 5 and 13.
Diseases of the respiratory organs, excluding phthisis or consumption, (which
is usually classed with the scrofulous or tubercular diseases) have been fatal to 121
persons, (51 males, and 70 females), a mortality greater than that from epidemic
diseases. Bronchitis was fatal to 47, viz: l9 males, and 28 females,—Pneumonia,
or inflammation of the lungs, to 62, viz: 28 males, and 34 females, 50 of which
occurred to children under 5 years of age. Asthma, to 2 males, and 8 females.
24 deaths only, out of the 669, were recorded as due to old age, or the natural
decay of the vital powers. Inquests were held on 70 persons, 14 of whom died
from the effects of burns and scalds, (three of which number lost their lives by being
burnt or suffocated in dwelling houses, 2 in Gower's-place, and 1 in Mansell-street) ;
23 from violence of various kinds; 3 from poison ;* and 2 from drowning. In 28
instances the verdict recorded was, either "found dead," or "died by the visitation
of God."
130 deaths were attributable to scrofulous diseases, amongst which, we may
class convulsions of infants, 18 in number. Disease of the mesenteric glands, (tabes
mcsenterica), proved fatal to 20; hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, to 19 ; and
and phthisis, or consumption, to 77.
How far this large amount of scrofulous disease can be prevented, is a question
of the greatest importance, and if our investigations should lead us to discover all the
causes of this fatal malady, and enable us to prevent its occurrence, the happiness of
many thousand families will be promoted. As I might be considered by many
members of the Board, overstepping my duties as the Medical Officer of Health, to
discuss all the points of this most important question, I shall merely state my conviction,
that the chief cause of scrofula is the want of pure air, which amongst the
poor is occasioned, in many instances, by necessity ; and amongst the rich, by ignorance
of the laws of health.
The overcrowding of workshops, and the want of efficient ventilation of public
buildings, are, among others, the causes of mortality arising from tubercular diseases.
* One of these cases was from an overdraught of alcohol, not taken with the intention
to destroy life; one from laudanum; in the other case the poison is not specified.