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and croup;99 under that of "hydrocephalus and convulsions
of infancy;" 179 under that of "phthisis and other tubercular
diseases;" and 596 under that of "other diseases chiefly
chronic." In this list some differences from that issued for the
year 1856 will be observed. Deaths from hydrocephalus, phthisis,
and premature birth have increased, whilst those from erysipelas,
and puerperal fever have considerably diminished. And again,
if we refer to the zymotic class of diseases, (Table 4) we shall
find that though the total number of deaths due to them was
nearly equal in each of the last two years, the relative number
of deaths due to the several diseases included in this class have
varied. So that, while fever deaths have mounted from 19 to 24,
while deaths from scarlatina have increased from 30 to 44, and
those from diarrhoea from 20 to 50; the mortality due to small
pox has sunk from 5 to 4, that due to hooping cough from 32
to 30, and that dependant on measles from 48 to 7. Wherefore,
on the whole, the details of the returns confirm the view
derived from the consideration of the gross, and demonstrate
the persistence of a favourable state of health among the inhabitants
of the parish generally.
The number of deaths (Table 3) registered in the several
quarters of the year varied; 353 occurred in the first, 298 in
the second, 276 in the third, and 342 in the fourth. And
hence, as in the previous year, and as indeed usually happens,
the deaths were most numerous in the most inclement seasons,
namely the first and the last.
In Dulwich 16 persons died; one less than in 1856. In
the sub-district of Camberwell, 296 deaths occurred; an increase
of 24 on the returns of the preceding year. In St. George's