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Since the publication of my last Annual Report, the Registrar General has issued the
Weekly Returns of Births, Deaths, and Causes of Death in London during the year 1863, from
which it appears that the deaths in the Metropolis from small-pox were 2,012, from measles
1,698, from scarlet-fever 5,075, from diphtheria 724, from hooping-cough 2,229, from
diarrhcea 2,448, and from typhus 2,892. Total 17,078. The total deaths in London from all
causes for the year were 72,346. The proportion of deaths from epidemics to the total deaths
is therefore 23.6 per cent., which is two per cent, below that in the Whitechapel District. It
further appears from these weekly returns, that the annual rate of mortality per cent, of the
population in the West Districts of London is 2.324, in the South Districts 2.337, in the
North Districts 2.381, in the East Districts 2.655, and in the Central Districts 2.664.
The diminution of the number of deaths from epidemics during the last quarter, is
due chiefly to the abatement of scarlet-fever and small-pox, the former being less by 58 and
the latter by 27. The deaths from fever have slightly increased, viz. from 39 to 44, while
the deaths from diarrhcea have decreased from 13 to 4. The rise, culminating point, and
decline of the several epidemic diseases continue to be involved in mystery. The phrase
"Epidemic constitution of the Atmosphere" is frequently used, but as Dr. [Holland
observes, “it is merely a phrase which wraps ignorance in the garb of scientific
language.”
The deaths from diseases of the respiratory organs have been 193. Consumption has
been fatal to 66, and the other scrofulous diseases to 38. The excessive indulgence in
intoxicating drinks proved fatal to 4 persons. Burns and scalds proved fatal to 18 persons,
one of whom was a widow 89 years of age, and 10 were children under 5 years of age. In
one week, viz.: that ending February 6th, there were 10 deaths in the London Hospital
from burns and scalds. The operation of ovariotomy was fatal in one instance. Three
persons committed suicide, one by taking poison whilst intoxicated, and two by hanging ;
in each case during an attack of temporary insanity. One case of manslaughter is recorded.
Rheumatism was fatal to two young women, domestic servants, aged respectively 16 and
17 years. Pyemia, abscess, mortification, and erysipelas, were fatal to 14 persons. This
is a large number, and the prevalence of these diseases showed that a very unhealthy condition
of the atmosphere existed. A child newly born was found dead, death having boen
caused by suffocation, but how, or by whom the suffocation was produced, there was not any
evidence. The death of a man aged 55 is registered as being the result of inflammation of
the brain occasioned by blow; in this case an inquest was not held. One death was
occasioned by privation and exposure to cold. Four children were suffocated in bed. An
infant two weeks old is recorded as having died from being bandaged too tightly. There are
also among the records of the causes of death the following, viz.: a widow, aged 68, from
“ ulcerated breast with hydatids and hemorrhage, 12 months, bronchitis 6 months ” —two
children aged respectively 5 years and 14 months, from skin disease “eczema”—a child
aged 3 weeks from “phlegmasia doleus.” The uncertified deaths, or those registered without
a certificate from a qualified medical practitioner, have been six, viz.: two from measles
(children), one from consumption (an adult), one from “ old age ” a man aged 82 and the
others from convulsions (children).
The deaths of children under 5 years of age are 252. This number is in the proportion
of 32.8 per cent, of the total deaths, and the deaths of persons above the age of 60 are 165,
which is 22.8 per cent, of the total deaths. The average annual number of deaths of
children under 5 during the last 5 years—1859-64, lias been, in relation to the total
mortality, at the rate of 47.5 per cent. ; and the deaths of persons above 60 have been at
the rate of 16 per cent. In the quarter ending October, 1860, the deaths of children under
5 were 50 per cent, of the total deaths, and the deaths of persons above 60 were 15 per cent.
It therefore appears, that during the quarter now under consideration, the rate of mortality
of children has been in proportion to the total mortality much more favorable. The deathrate
of those above 60 has increased.