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to the public health exist, to which the attention of the local authorities
should be given.
The causes which influence the rates of mortality are very numerous ;
and among them are the following : 1. Birth-rate.—The greater the birthrate
the greater is the death-rate. 2. Sex —As the mortality of males
exceeds that of females, it will be found that in those localities where males
are greatly in excess the death-rate will be higher. 3. Age.—Wherever there
is a large proportion of persons in the period of life from 10 to 30 years of
age the death-rate will be comparatively small; whereas, if there be an excess
of children under 5, or a disproportionate number of persons above 65; then
the death-rate will be increased. Mr. THOS. Wilton, at p. 25, in his pamphlet
on the effect of migrations in disturbing local rates of mortality, remarks, "that
if we wish to form an idea as to the comparative salubrity or otherwise of two
country Districts, I think we must rely on the death-rates at the ages of 0—10,
and 45—75, and abandon the thought of deducing any instructive result from
their mortality statistics at the intervening ages." 4. Occupation.—In some
towns there are numerous unhealthy manufactories in constant occupation,
and in some of them a large population is employed; in such
towns the rate of mortality will, of course, be greater than in those
towns where such manufactories do not exist: and again, where there are
healthy manufactories which give a constant remunerative employment to
large numbers of skilled artizans who are not overworked, and not overcrowded
while at work, and are provided with good ventilation, and where
mechanical and other contrivances to carry out of the workshop mechanical
or chemical impurities are provided. 5. Where the mothers can give due
attention to their children the rate of mortality in such towns is comparatively
small.* 6. The social condition of the people materially influences the
rate of mortality. 7. The excessive use of intoxicants. 8. Other causes,
of a moral character, may operate in producing a higher death-rate in one
locality than in another. Therefore, before we can arrive at a just conclusion
as regards the relative sanitary condition of a District, all these
disturbing influences must be considered.
Mortuary.
In some of my former Reports I have brought under your notice the
importance of having a Mortuary in this District, and I have pointed out
the great inconvenience and danger to health which those families who occupy
only one room are subject to when a death occurs among them ; and the
danger is greatly increased during the prevalence of an epidemic. Under
the provisions of the 27th Section of the Sanitary Act power is given to the
local authority to provide a proper place for the reception of dead bodies,
and unless such a place is provided, otherwise than at a Workhouse, a
Magistrate has not the power of ordering the removal of a dead body, the
retention of which, in the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health, is
injurious to the health of the occupants of the house. It is, therefore,
obvious that a proper Mortuary should be provided.
* See 26th Report of the Registrar-General, p. 13.