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The deaths of children under five years of age, including the above,
were for London equal to 40.3 per cent, of the total deaths, and 26.2 per
cent, of the registered births; and for the Whitechapel District they were
equal to 44.6 per cent, of the total deaths, and 25.7 per cent, of the
registered births.
Table I* has been introduced to enable one readily to contrast the
mortality per cent, from each class of disease to total deaths, as regards
both the Whitechapel District and the Metropolis as a whole.
Our District appears in a happier position than the entire Metropolis
in the following causes of death:—
Zymotic diseases; Diseases following upon Privation and Alcoholism;
Diseases of the Nervous System; and Accidents.
In 1894 the figures for Zymotic diseases were for London 17.45, and
for Whitechapel 15.62.
In the year now under consideration London shews 1710, whereas the
percentage for Whitechapel has diminished to 14.57.
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria have again taxed to the utmost the
resources of the Metropolitan Asylums' Board. I know that the
Managers have been most assiduous in their endeavours to cope with the
difficulties by which they were surrounded. It has become certain that
more hospital accommodation is needed. I have more than once pointed
out the necessity of early removal to hospital of cases of infectious
diseases in such a District as Whitechapel. The value of isolation
depends largely upon the perfection of the system whereby all infected
persons can be immediately withdrawn from crowded districts, so that
fresh centres for spreading disease may be avoided. I extract a
memorandum from Mr. Cook's Eeport on the subject:—
"A delay occurred in the removal of patients early in July and again
" in September, recurring occasionally nearly to the end of the year.
"In 35 cases 3 applications were made for the removal of patients.
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" Eleven cases refused removal owing to delay in removal after applica"
tion had been made.
" Sixty-three cases were taken home from the Loudon Hospital because
" the Asylums' Board could not provide accommodation for them in the
" Hospitals.
" In many cases the home consisted of one room."
I would, however, emphasize the fact that the Officers of the
Metropolitan Asylum's Board showed every consideration for the
necessities of the District so far as was consonant with their duty to the
other portions of the Metropolis.
It is unfortunate that Scarlet Fever cases have to be isolated for a
considerable time after the acute symptoms have subsided. If these
cases could be removed to suburban convalescent homes a great many
beds would be set free to accommodate the new cases, and thus probably
the late difficulty might not be repeated.
* Page 35.