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ANNUAL REPORT.
The number of births registered in this District, during the year 1870,
has been 2690, and the number of deaths 2465. The births in 1869 were
2571, and the deaths 2675. The births, therefore, are in excess of those in
1869 by 119, and the deaths are less by 210. The return of births and
deaths for this year is therefore more satisfactory. The deaths in the "Workhouse
have been 342 against 328 for the previous year, and the deaths in the
London Hospital 599 against 504.
If the population of this District be rightly estimated at about 70,000,
which is nearly 3000 less than when the census was taken in 1861, the rate
of mortality has been, during this year, 32.4 per 1000, or 1 in 30.6 of all
living. In making a comparison, however, of the rate of mortality of this
District, with that of others, the deaths in the London Hospital must bo
eliminated, which this year amount to 599. Deducting, therefore, the deaths
in this institution, from the total deaths, the rate of mortality is 24'6 per
1000, or 1 in 40.7 of all living. For the previous year, the rate of mortality
in this District, was 35.0 per 1000, or 1 in 28.5 of all living, and, on deducting
the deaths in the London Hospital, the rate of mortality was 28.3
per 1000, or 1 in 35 of the population.
Pauper Illness in the District.
The number of out-door sick paupers who have been attended by the
Medical Officers of the Union, has been 14,148.
Although it appears from Table VI., that the sick paupers are still very
numerous, yet, I have the satisfaction to remark, that during the last year
the number has diminished to the extent of more than 3000. This large
number, however, of sick paupers, the same being 18.6 per cent. of the total
population, need not surprise us when the condition of the houses in most of
the poor localities and the extreme poverty of the people arc considered.
In my last Report, I pointed out the unfitness for habitation of many of
the dwellings of the poor in this District, and I pointed out what I conceived
to be the best mode of remedying the evil, premising that a stop must be put,
by legislative enactment, in the form of a new Building Act, to the further
erection of houses unfit for habitation. Nevertheless, much might bo done
by local Boards, with the powers intrusted to them by the existing Sanitary
Acts. The most important of these Acts, in enabling local Boards to get
houses unfit for habitation demolished, is the Artizans' and Labourers'
Dwellings' Act, which was passed in 1867, and although its provisions are
of a mandatory character, they have not been put in force by your Board;