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10
ing of air tainted with gases resulting from decompositon,
and especially from overcrowding and dirt, is a very
frequent cause of a severe instead of a mild attack.
The first quarter of 1863 was remarkably mild and
very unhealthy; but although the mortality was unusually
high, the amount of sickness was not so great
as usual, in consequence of the prevalent diseases being
very severe, and death resulting after an unusually short
illness. The month of March was an extremely fatal
one, through a great and sudden fall of temperature. In
the second quarter of the year (April, May, and June),
the death-rate was 2.313 per cent. of the population for
the whole of London, which was greater than that of
any quarter since 1853. In the third quarter it was
again excessive, having been 2.325 per cent. of the
population; whilst in the last quarter it was 2.236 per
cent., or 0.058 per cent. above the average for the
quarter.
The births throughout the Metropolis have been
decidedly on the increase, and especially in the Hackney
District: 3,075 births having been registered in 1863
against 2,768 in 1862.
I shall now proceed to a consideration of the Sanitary
state of the Hackney District during this year. The
first table to which I shall direct your attention is one
showing the number of births in each quarter, and in
each Sub-District. We learn by it, that of the 3075