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10
The total Mortality for the year has been 922 which is very
slightly higher than in 1861,* but it is satisfactory to observe that
the increase has not arisen from diseases of a zymotic character.
Tubercular affections, diseases of the organs of respiration, and developmental
diseases of children (including premature birth and
teething), constituting the chief excess. Of the 922 deaths 101,
or about 10 per Cent., died between 70 and 80 years, 47 or 5 perCent,
between 80 and 90 years, whilst one had attained to 94 years.
It is, of course, impossible to trace the histories of the aged persons
who from year to year die in the Fuiham. District, but there is
reason to believe that a large proportion are natives or persons who
have spent a great number of years in the locality, thus proving its
natural tendency to longevity. But when we review the other end
of the scale we cannot otherwise than observe how much man does
himself to counteract such a gift of nature. It certainly could not
have been intended by Providence that of all the children born
nearly one-half should die without attaining one-fourteenth part of
the three score years and ten allotted to mankind, and yet we see
the yearly realization of this astounding fact.
My previous reports have shown how our own infant population
has thus been summarily disposed of, and this year indicates how
death is still at work amongst them.
The returns of Mortality prove that of the 922 deaths during the
year, 378 or 41 per Cent, had not passed beyond their 5th year,
whilst 194 had actually died under one year of age.
The prevailing causes of this infant destruction are ranged under
the following heads. Miasmatic diseases, 126; Tubercular, 40;
Diseases of the Nervous System, 41; Diseases of the Organs of
Respiration, 59; Developmental diseases and diseases of Nutrition,
70: causes which evidently point to something radically wrong in
the care and nurture of the infant community.
Of the Zymotic classes of disease, Scarlatina has produced the
largest number of deaths, 53, viz: 38 in Fuiham, and 15 in Hammersmith,
but Hooping Cough which destroyed 52 in 1861, only
claimed 14. Diarrhoea, again, in 1861,caused death to 47, but during
the past year to 30 only. 17 fatal cases of Diptheria have been
recorded also during the year, and of Ague 1. 28 have died of various
forms of Continued Fever, 14 from Measles, and 88 from Phthisis.
Of the 922 deaths in the District upwards of 500 have occurred
amongst the working classes
Of the total deaths, 491 occurred in Hammersmith, and 431 in
Fuiham. The rate of Mortality for the year, calculated for increase
of population to the middle of the year, was 2.25 per Cent., the rate
for the whole of London having been 2.349. The greatest number
of deaths were registered in March (108) and in December (102).
• In consequence of a delay in the Registration, the deaths of three persons on whom
Inquests were held were omitted in my last year's Report, the total Mortality of which
was therefore 901.