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7
that the general mal-condition of the tenements and yards, conduced
to the high death-rate, and as the conclusions arrived at by
the Committee, sometimes even at the present time apply to
certain places and persons in London, I am tempted to reproduce
them for perusal: "The principal causes, tending to deteriorate
"the health and well-being of the industrious classes, which have
"been presented to the notice of your Committee, are as follows:—
"1. Insufficient supply of water.
"2. The existence of nuisances in and around the dwellings
"caused by—
"(a) The want of drainage.
"(b) The defective state of the pavement.
"(c) The neglect of the Scavengers and Dustmen.
"3. The dilapidated condition of many of the houses in the
"poorer districts.
"4. The overcrowded state of the tenements, more especially
"the low lodging-houses.
"5. The want of light and ventilation.
"6. The filthy habits of the people."
Most of these causes now no longer exist, and to the resulting
improvement must be credited the diminished death-rate to which
I have directed attention. Much mors can be done, nay, much
more must be done, before sanitarians with their present knowledge,
can truly assert that all the aid has been given to those dwellers in
tenements, which they have a right to expect. To improved
sanitation, as well as to the increased efforts of the people themselves,
we must turn for further improvement.
The natural increase of births over deaths for the year 1889, is
1094.
During the last six years, the natural increase has been respectively
as follows:—In 1889, 1094; in 1888, 1033; in 1887, 970;
in 1886, 901; in 1885, 945; in 1884, 905.
Percentage of Deaths for each Age, period during 1889:—
25.0 % of the total deaths took place under the age of 1 year.
16.6 ,, ,, ,, between the ages of 1 and 5.
4.5 ,, ,, ,, ,, 5 and 20.
13.3 ,, „ „ „ 20 and 40.
20.3 ,, ,, ,, ,, 40 and 60.
17.0 ,, ,, ,, ,, Go and 80.
3.0 ,, ,, ,, over the age of 80.