View report page

5
number are 1 of smallpox, 4 of measles, 17 of diarrhoea, 127 of fever, 3 of
rheumatic fever, 1 of carbuncle, 4 of erysipelas, and 3 of delirium tremens
In the corresponding quarter of last year the total number of cases was 656,
including 90 of fever
The waterwaste preventers which have been in use in the district during the
last nine months appears to work very satisfactorily Since my last report two
additional ones have been erected, one in the district supplied by the New River
Company, the other in that of the East London There are now seven of these
machines in operation, and no complaint has as yet been made to me respecting
them in their failing to give a constant supply of water without waste
The number of births registered during the year 1864 was 2,803, viz 1,473
males and 1,330 females The deaths were 2,792, viz 1,531 males and
1,261 females The deaths in the London Hospital of nonresidents, exclusive
of those whpse death was occasioned by accident, were 225 The excess of
births over deaths has been only 11; but if the deaths of the nonresidents are
excluded, the excess of births over deaths is 236 In the preceding year the
excess of births over deaths was 32 ; excluding the deaths of the nonresidents
it was 213
During the past year 338 inquests were held against 291 in the previous year
The uncertified deaths are 25 against 32 When such facilities exist for all
persons obtaining gratuitous medical assistance, as is the case in this district,
it is to be lamented that so many people die without having been attended by
a qualified member of the medical profession
The Medical Officers of the Union have attended 14,932 new cases of
illness, exclusive of 3,112 in the Workhouse Last year the Medical Officers
returned 14,564 cases among the outdoor poor, and 2,479 in the Workhouse
On reviewing the sanitary condition of the district, as indicated by the annual
increase of the number of deaths and cases of illness among the pauper population,
I regret to have to report that the public health is very far from being
in a satisfactory state, although great improvements have been effected in the
drainage of the houses, particularly of those occupied by the poor,—the more
prompt removal of nuisances which is brought about by the regular and systematic
inspection of all the poor localities,—the improvement which has taken
place in the water supply, and the better pavement which has been laid down
in several of the courts and byeplaces In 1860 the mortality returns were
2,302, and the cases of illness among the pauper population 11,392; in 1861
the deaths were 2,331, and the cases of illness 13,724; in 1863 the deaths were
2,551, cases of illness 14,270 ; in 1863 (53 weeks), deaths 2,764, cases of illness
14,564; while in 1864 the deaths were 2,792, and the cases of illness 14,932
These returns are very significant, and they ought to engage our serious
attention, with a view of accounting for this annual increase in the deaths
Upwards of 3,400 cesspools have been destroyed since the formation of your Board