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the inheritance of children from their diseased parents, was fatal in two instances. Alcoholism,
or Intemperance destroyed 4; but, it cannot be doubted that the abuse of intoxicating drinks
has been the cause of death in many more instances than in those recorded by the local
registrars. Tha deaths of 4 children were caused by suffocation in bed; in one of these cases,
the parents were drunk at the time. There were 2 deaths from destitution, 2 from drowning, and
1 from a wound of the throat (suicide). The deaths from burns and scalds were 8, and from violence
of various kinds 19. The total number of inquests was 56, of which, 32 were held on persons
who died in the London Hospital. The deaths uncertified by a medical practitioner are 13,
1 of which, is that of an infant suffocated during the time of its birch. The deaths in the
Workhouse are 61, viz. 29 males and 22 females. In the corresponding quarter of the preceding
year the deaths in the Workhouse were 62.
The cases of sickness in the Workhouse were 390, of which, 189 were attended by Mr.
Champneys, and 201 by Mr. Richardson. Included in the above returns aro 31 cases of Epidemic
Diseases, viz. 2 of Scarlet Fever, 1 of Hooping Cough, 17 of Diarrhoea, and 11 of Fever. These returns,
both as regards the total number and the number of Epidemic Diseases included in each
return, contrast very favorably with the returns for the corresponding quarter of the preceding
year, when the total was 411, including 72 cases of Epidemic Disease. The same favorable
returns are shown in the total cases attended among the out-door poor (3261 against 2668),
The returns of Diarrhoea cases show a reduction of more than one-half, viz. from 787 to 383;
of Fever, from 107 to 34 ; of Small-pox, from 44 to 6; of Scarlet Fever, from 70 to 24 ; Measles,
on the other hand, shows an increase from 78 to 159.
On perusing the table showing the causes of death at seven periods of life registered in
the Whitechapel District, and comparing it with that of the corresponding quarter of 1859, it
will be seen that the deaths of children under 1 year of age are less numerous by 59; the deaths
recorded in the 1st table being 121, out of a total mortality of 515 or in the proportion of 23'4
per cent., and in the other table, the number under 1 year is 180 out of a total of 624, or in
the proportion of 28.9 per cent. This diminution of the infant mortality appears to be owing to
the comparative immunity from Diarrho3a, that this District together with the entire Metropolis
has enjoyed during the summer; for Diarrhoea, when epidemic, is always particularly
fatal to children of tender years. The deaths of children under 12 months from Diarrhoea, in
the summer of 1859, were 70, out of a total mortality from this cause of 114, which is at the
rate of 61'4 per cent., while in the summer of 1860 the total deaths from Diarrhoea were only
35, and the mortality of children under 12 months was 15, or 42.8 per cent. This diminution
in the amount of infant mortality is, at first sight, very gratifying, but if we compare the
total deaths under 5 recorded in these two tables, it will be seen, that the mortality under 5 years
of age, during the quarter recently terminated, bears a much larger proportion to the total
mortality than in the corresponding quarter of the preceding year; the one being 53.3 per cent.
and the other 49'5 per cent. of the total mortality. The excessive proportionate mortality of
children under 5 years of age, which has recently taken place, is owing to Measles, HoopingCough,
Croup, and diseases of the respiratory organs. The children under 5 residing in the
Whitechapel North sub-district, have suffered more in proportion than in any other of the sub-