Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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creased 15, that from Consumption 25, that from Apoplexy
and Palsy 7, and that from Bronchitis and Inflammation of
the Lungs 67. But there was an increase of 14 deaths—from
Tabes Mesenterica or the wasting away of children, of 50 from
Diseases of the Brain, of 7 from Atrophy and Premature
Births, of 31 from Sudden and Violent Deaths, and of 25
from the "Nervous Diseases of Children"—Water on the
Brain, Convulsions and Teething. Taking the totals of the
two years 41 persons more were cut off in 1861, but if we
take the average of the last ten, the deaths were 209 below
their divisional rate. If contrasted with London and its
East Districts, the Rates of 1861 amount in Bethnal Green
to 2.117, in London to 2.317, and in the East Districts to
2.405 per cent. The difference is that whilst 1 out of 47
living or 21 in 1000 died in Bethnal Green, 1 in 43 living or
23 in 1000 died in London, and 1 in 41 living or 24 in 1000
died in the East Districts. If we go back to "1851," which
was "a year of prosperity," when "the births exceeded and
the deaths were less than the average numbers," the mortality
in Bethnal Green was only 1 in 49; if, however, we go back
to 1841, the mortality was 1 in 41. As the mean of the
3 decennia is just in advance of 1 death to every 45 persons,
it follows that the mortality decreased in ratio in 1861.
With respect to the Classification of the Causes that cut
short our lives, 501 deaths, or 1 in each 4.4 belonged to the
1st or Zymotic Class. The diseases of this class which comprehends
the epidemics proved exceedingly inimical to infant and
early life ; for 375 perished under 5, and 51 more between
5 and 20 years. Erysipelas, Puerperal and Rheumatic Fevers
were on the contrary most inimical to adults. 415 deaths are
recorded on the epidemic roll. Small Pox destroyed 12 lives;
a number that need not and should not occur. Prejudice,
however, leads to neglect, and what neglect may produce the
following case unhappily shows:—"A man" residing near