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26
This table affords an epitome of the chief vital statistics of
Hackney and London since 1841, as far as they are obtainable,
and it also shows very plainly the great increase in our population
since 1841. Thus, the average number of births in the 10
years, 1841-50, was 1,398, whilst in 1883 it was the largest
recorded, viz. : 6,502. The mean number of deaths in 1841-50
was 948, in 1883, 3,545 ; the ratio of births to deaths in 1841-50
was 148, and 183 in 1883. This difference in the ratios of births
to deaths arises from the much greater number of married
women in Hackney now, and the much smaller proportion of
servants at present living in Hackney as compared with the
number in 1841-50. The number of births to each 100 deaths
was the same as for 1882, and is in excess of the mean for 1871-80,
when it was 177. The death-rate per 1000 population from the
7 chief zymotic diseases in 1883 was the smallest I have ever
recorded, as it was only 2.24 against an average of 3.40 in
1871-80, 3.78 in 1861-70, and 3.56 in 1851-60. The nearest
approach to it occurred in 1879, when the rate was 2.29, and in
1874 when it was 2.76 per 1,000 living in Hackney. As the
whole of the deaths from these diseases in Hospitals are recorded,
this is very satisfactory. The ratio for all London was also
unusually small, viz.: 2.70 per 1,000 population. The number
of deaths under 1 year to the total births registered during the
year was also very low, having been 125 against 146 for all
London. In the 10 years, 1871-80, the mean number for
Hackney was 142 ; in 1861-70, 143, and in 1851-60, 128.
Considering the large proportion of poor now residing in the
District, and the greatly increased density of population, this low
death-rate of infants is very satisfactory. Indeed, I do not know
a better test of the sanitary conditions of a District, other things
being equal, than a low death-rate of infants. The annual
death-rate from all causes, 17.6 per 1,000 population, was equally
satisfactory, especially as the tables now include all the deaths
of residents of Hackney that occur in Hospitals outside the
District. This is the lowest death-rate recorded in the District