View report page

37
crease of 226, the deaths from 2,322 to 2,408, an increase
of 86. In Dulwich the births increased by 5, but
the deaths diminished by 6. In Camberwell (inclusive
of Workhouse and Asylums), the births increased by 77,
the deaths by 18. In Peckham the increase on the
births was 75, on the deaths, 92. In St. George's
the increase on the births was 70, but the deaths
showed a diminution of 18.
The increase in the number of births is probably
largely due to increase of population, but, under any
circumstances, may be regarded as a healthy sign.
The increase in the number of deaths is also doubtless
in some degree dependent on the same cause, and is
not, therefore, necessarily an indication of increased
unhealthiness. Whether it be so or not must be
determined partly by ascertaining the death rate, and
partly by scrutinizing the relative influence of preventable
and non-preventable diseases in its causation.
I have in former Reports explained that during
the ten years which terminated with the taking of the
last census, the annual increase in the population of
the parish was at the rate of about 4.53 per cent;
that that of Dulwich was about 8.9, that of Camberwell.
3.91, that of Peckham, 4.06, and that of
St. George's, 5.23; and I have further explained that