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24
the deaths ascribed to fever were almost exclusively deaths from
enteric fever. Now during these years the fever deaths in
Camberwell ranged from 19 to 31 per annum. We may assume
then, roughly, that there was during this period an annual
enteric fever death rate of 25. We may assume also that the
deaths from this disease have, during the last three years,
averaged about the same number. But if this be so, then it will
be seen that the deaths from actual typhus—from the disease
which has been lately epidemic, and about which so much has
lately been written—were in our parish about 35 instead
of 65 in 1862, and in 1863 and in 1864, about six or seven and
twenty only, instead of 50 and 52. On the whole it must be
admitted that an examination of the mortality due to fever and
to other zymotic diseases confirms the favorable opinion which I
have expressed as to the general healthiness of Camberwell and
of its several districts during the year which has just elapsed.
I should be sorry to have it supposed that in thus endeavouring
to estimate the exact truth in reference to typhus, I am
endeavouring to conceal in any degree the importance of the
epidemic which has prevailed and still prevails, or in any degree
to lessen the responsibility of those whose duty it is to watch
over the public health. I have no such intention. I may add,
in reference to this subject, that the rule which I have adopted
has been to have all houses (especially houses of the poorer
classes) inspected, in which deaths from typhus and other of
the more important zymotic diseases have occurred, and to take
such stcpe in reference to them as the respective cases seem to
require. The continued presence however of typhus in London,
and the public notice which the alarm of the so called "Russian
epidemic," has drawn to this continued presence, have led me
to consider very seriously what is the best mode of dealing in
London with epidemics of typhus and other "plagues," such as
cholera, when they visit us,