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the danger arising from the present condition of the sewerage, with a view of suggesting
the best mode of ventilating the sewers and destroying the noxious gazes
generated within them; and when their enquiries and experiments are completed,
the result of their labours will be laid before the public.
The fourth and last case to which I think it necessary to draw attention, with
a view of preventing a similar occurrence, is that of a Sailor, aged about 33, a boarder
in the Sailors' Home, Well Street, who, while in a state of intoxication, was removed
up stairs to one of the dormitories, and where, having occasion to relieve his bowels,
went to an open window for that purpose, there being no water closet in any of the
dormitories, and accidently fell on the pavement below, which caused his instant
death. The Jury, on delivering their verdict, recommended, that men, while in a
state of intoxication, should be kept below, and that a water-closet should be erected
in each dormitory.
Out of the sixty-seven deaths in the London Hospital, 44 were occasioned by
disease. One was a case recorded as "found dead," and all the rest were cases of
violent deaths, upon which inquests were held. Out of the whole number, four only
were residents. Sixty-three deaths in the London Hospital must therefore be
deducted from the total mortality of the district, for the quarter ending September
26th, to which we must add the accidental deaths from drowning and suffocation, (5
in number) these not being cases of suicide. The total number to be deducted from
the published mortality returns, (551) is 68. The mortality for the Whitechapel
District for the last quarter, is therefore 483, to which must be added, the deaths of
those who die in the several institutions in the metropolis, but of which number
I have no means of ascertaining.
It is of great importance for statistical purposes, that the births should be as
accurately registered as the deaths. From the fact of the latter, in the Aldgate
District, exceeding the former, I have too much reason to believe that all the births
in that sub-district, and probably in the others, are not registered.
Many of the inhabitants in this district are Irish, and in very poor circumstances;
the men are engaged principally as casual dock labourers, and the women as hawkers
of fruit, vegetables, lucifer matches, &c. During a portion of the year, many of
both sexes leave their habitations to seek work in the country; and it not unfrequently
happens, that within a short time after a woman is confined, the whole family leaves;
and before they return, the six weeks has expired, in which a child can be registered
free of expense—the parents having no money to spare for that purpose, the duty of
registering the birth is neglected. Again, many of the inhabitants are foreigners, and
are not acquainted with the law in this country relating to the Registration of Births.
It will be necessary to make an alteration in the law before a correct system of
registering the births is effected.
During the last quarter, many complaints of nuisances from various premises
where certain trades are carried on, have been made to your Board and its officers,
and have been visited by your Medical Officer of Health and Inspectors of Nuisances,