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3
Amongst other matters to which I have drawn the attention of the
Board, are the gradual increase of saline and organic matters in the
water supplied by the East London Water Works Company; and the
enormous deposition of vegetable refuse, fish offal, and filth, in various
excavations within the District.
As regards the water supply, there is no doubt that the quantity of
organic matter contained in the water is not at present sufficient to cause
a decided injury to health, but as it is gradually increasing, some measures
should be speedily taken to remedy what may become a most serious
evil. As regard the saline matters, I do not consider them at all
injurious; indeed as the quantity of lime is not very large, they are
likely to be rather beneficial than otherwise. There can, however, be no
question whatever as to the injurious effects of the fish offal and other
refuse deposited in the numerous excavations which have been made for
the purpose of obtaining gravel or brick earth. I am therefore much
gratified at the decision given at Worship-street, against one of the parties
who thus offended, especially as since the judgment, the practice has
obtained to a far less extent.
The death-rate has been a little above the average for the quarter, but
not from what are termed preventable (zymotic) diseases, for these were far
below the average. The deaths from tubercular affections were unusually
high, as well as from diseases of the nervous system; also from premature birth
and debility. The excess in these classes account for more than the total
number registered above the average. The birth-rate steadily increases,
and was larger this Quarter than in any of the corresponding Quarters
during the last five years.
The total number of births registered in the District was 696, of which
333 were of males, and 363 females. Of these 60 children were born in
Stoke Newington, 33 in Stamford Hill, 220 in West Hackney, 253 in
Hackney, and 130 in South Hackney sub-districts. Of the 391 deaths
registered in the whole District, 23 occurred in Stoke Newington, 24 in
Stamford Hill, 97 in West Hackney, 189 in Hackney, and 58 in South
Hackney. As the births were 696 in number, and the deaths only 391,