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the mortality throughout London from this diease having also been less
than during any of the last 13 years. Diarrhoea, an ailment which
generally adds materially to the deaths, has in the past year contributed
47. Consumption has cut off 82 persons.
The mean rate of mortality for London in 1861 was 2.36, for the
Fulham district it has been about 2.24, calculated for the actual
population taken at the census. The total number of deaths registered
during the year in the district has been 898, of which 492 occurred in
Hammersmith and 406 in Fulham. 58 persons have died in the Union
House, 12 in Lunatic Asylums, 24 in Roman Catholic Institutions,
and 14 in Alms Houses. 40 inquests have been held, 20 in Hammersmith
and 20 in Fulham. Of the 898 deaths, 341 had not reached
their third year and 384 had not attained their fifth year.
It is worthy of note, however, that the mortality records of the past
year shew that no less than 54 persons, or 6 per cent. of the whole
number, have died at 80 years and upwards, 9 had reached 90, whilst
the two eldest had attained their 99th years. One of the latter died
in High-street, Fulham, the other at Nazareth House.
The number of births registered in the year have been 1255, in
Hammersmith 751, in Fulham 504, shewing an excess of 357 over
the deaths in the district. In recording the number of deaths in the
parishes of Fulham and Hammersmith, it should always be borne in
mind that we have several elements at work which most unmistakeably
increase our mortality beyond its natural limits. For instance, in
Fulham we have several large Lunatic Asylums, the deaths in which,
from the several forms of mania and their consequences, are, as a rule,
imported cases from different parts of the country : the Union House,
too, may add somewhat in this respect. In Hammersmith a considerable
addition is made to our mortality by the various Roman
Catholic Charitable Institutions, which have lately so much extended
here. I have, in former reports, alluded also to the great augmentation
of our poorer inhabitants, in consequence of the extending metropolitan
destruct'on of small houses. This immigration continues, which,
together with a large importation of market-garden labourers and
brick-makers during the summer months, places us at a considerable
disadvantage in comparing our per centage of death with our natural
fixed population.
The public papers will have informed you of some important revelations
which have lately taken place with regard to the supply of
unwholesome and diseased meat to the London market. That food
of th's character exerts an injurious influence on public health cannot
be doubted, and as it is not improbable that in consequence of the
proceedings which have lately been taken within the City, no inconsiderable
quantity may in future be forced into the suburban districts,
I shall feel it my duty to watch carefully in this matter, and shall hope
for your support should it be necessary to act. The prevalence of disease
amongst the cows of the London dairies has engaged the attention
of the Officers of Health, and of late a contagious eruptive fever has