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visitor, should again prevail, the people will become alarmed, and then, if not
hefore, it is to be hoped that increased energy will be put forth by the several
local and governmental authorities to stay the ravages of disease, and that
amendments will be made in the several acts relating to the health of the people.
Of the total deaths, 327 were of males, and 312 of females. The
registered births were 700, of which 355 were of males and 345 of females. The
deaths in the London Hospital have been 97, of which, 40 were of non-residents,
and 47 were the result of accident or were sudden deaths.
The total mortality in this district during the last six months has been
at the annual rate of 3.5 per cent, of the population. If we exclude the deaths
of the non-residents, and include in the general mortality all the sudden deaths,
and deaths which occurred in the London Hospital occasioned by violence, the
mortality has been at the annual rate of 3.3 per cent., and if we exclude altogether
the deaths in the London Hospital, then the mortality has been at the annual rate
of 3 per cent. The rate of mortality in London from 1850-9 was 2.36 per cent.,
from 1859-61, it fell to 2.26 per cent., in 1861 it rose to 2.32 per cent., and in
1862 it was 2.34 per cent. The average number of living to one death annually
in London (1860-62) is 41. The average birth rate in London is 3.37 per cent,
annually.
The mortality in all England from zymotic diseases in 1861 was at the
rate of 4.4 in 1000 living. In this district during the same year the mortality
from zymotic diseases is 6 in 1000 living. During the last six months, the mortality
from zymotic diseases in the Whitechapel District has been at the annual
rate of 9.9 in 1000 living.
The deaths from epidemic diseases during this quarter have been 165,
viz., 21 from Small-pox, 3 from Measles, 82 from Scarlet Fever, 3 from Diphtheria,
15 from Hooping-cough, 13 from Diarrhoea, and 28 from Fever,* including
Typhus, Typhinia, and Typhoid or Typhia. Small-pox and Scarlet-fever,
as may be seen from the subjoined table have been epidemic for a period of
nearly nine months. This table shows the number of deaths in the entire district
from Small-pox and from Scarlet-fever which has occurred week by week. It
likewise shows the number of cases of these diseases which have been attended
by the Medical Officers of the Union, and also the total number of deaths which
has occurred weekly in the entire district.
* In a letter written by Dr. William Farr, and published in the last Annual Report
of the Registrar General, it is stated that Typhus Fever is characterized by blood spots upon the
skin (petechiæ), and that the mortality from this disease in the London Fever Hospital is 21
per cent. This form of fever is generated in crowded populations. Typhinia, also called
Relapsing Fever and Famine Fever is endemic in times of scarcity and famine. The mortality
from this form of fever does not exceed 2½ per cent. It is called Relapsing Fever from
the fact that patients, after getting well apparently about the seventh day, are subject to a
sudden relapse on the fourteenth day. Typhoid, Typhia or Pythogenie Fever is characterized
by an eruption of rose coloured spots on the skin, and by a morbid condition of the glands of
the Ilium and Mesentery. This disease is often protracted to the 30th day, and in the Fever
Hospital 19 cases in 100 terminated fatally. In the same letter, when writing upon the mortality
from Small-pox, Dr. Farr says "that it is impossible to determine in these cases who
is to"blame in not procuring for the helpless children the protection which the legislature has
provided against Small-pox. The Coroners, by holding a certain number of inquests, might
ascertain how the matter really stands, and may prevent acts of negligence which in their
consequences are as latal as the ordinary offences of manslaughter."
If orders, served upon landlords for removing nuisances injurious to health, are not
complied with, such landlords may be rendered liable to a charge of criminal neglect, if
death result in consequence of the non-removal of the nuisance.