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9
ANNUAL REPORT.
The number of births registered in this District, during the year 1871, has
been 2571, and the number of deaths 2465. The births in 1870 were 2690,
and the deaths 2465. The births therefore are less than those in 1870 by 119,
and the number of deaths is precisely the same. The deaths in the Workhouse
have been 304, against 342 for the previous year; and the deaths in the
London Hospital 557 against 599.
The population of this District at the taking of the last census was
76,332, which is 2638 less than when the census was taken in 1861. The
rate of mortality has been, during the year, 32.2 per 1000, or 1 in 31.0 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 be
eliminated, which this year amount to 551. Deducting, therefore, the deaths
in this institution from the total deaths the rate of mortality is 25.5 per 1000,
or 1 in 39.1 of all living. By adding, however, the deaths of residents in this
District which took place in other parts of London, the rate of mortality is
probably about 29 per 1000 annually. The rate of mortality in this District
exceeds that of the whole of London by about 4'6 per 1000. The deaths of
the residents in this District which occurred in the London Hospital,
exclusive of those from accident, have been 64, which is 11.6 per cent. of the
total mortality in this institution.
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 10,194. During the previous year the
number was 14,148, On referring to Table VI. in the Appendix it will be
seen that in the year 1856 the pauper cases of illness amounted to 9,897, and
that they annually increased up to 1868, when they reached the large number
of 17,417, notwithstanding the decrease in the population. In the following
year the sick cases were 14,031 ; in 1870 there was a slight increase, the
number being 14,148 ; while in 1871, when a new system of medical attendance
was adopted and an increase of the number of Medical Officers and of
Relieving Officers was made, this gratifying result has been attained.
On making inquiry of Mr. Vallance, the Clerk to the Board of Guardians,
for an explanation of the great diminution of the pauper cases, he kindly
furnished me with the following Memorandum :
"Memorandum.—The diminution in the number of cases of sickness
"recorded in the books of the Medical Officers as compared with former
"years is not entirely real, by reason of the practice which formerly existed
"in this Union of the Medical Officers requiring, in continuous cases, at