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FULHAM DISTRICT
THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
To the Board of Works, Fulham District.
Gentlemen,
Of no period since the existence of your Board as the Loc:
Authority has it been of more importance seriously to take a review of
Sanitary condition than of that for the year which has just passed by. F
eleven years the public Health of the Fulham District has been under you
control, and though outbreaks of diseases of special type have from time
time occurred, still no very serious consequences to the public welfare hav
thence resulted. But the year to which this my eleventh Annual Repor
particularly refers has been marked by one of those speeial visitations whici
in former times have left for years their mark imprinted on the public
burthens. Cholera has been here but without the wonted terror and dlsma
amongst the p«oplo which have always hitherto marked its advent and
course.
The measures of prevention so promptly recognized by your Board a
necessary, were equal to the occasion, and my special report thereon testifies
the value of what was done. The Power of Sanitary arrangements to checi
the progress of such a formidable disease was clearly evidenced, and
public sacrifice beyond the moment has been entailed. Such a fact indeed
matter for congratulation. The character for healthfulness of the Western
Districts of the Metropolis is still maintained, and the Registrar-General in
his Annual Summary for 1866 says, " The Mortality of London was above
the average in nearly all except the West and South Districts." He furthei
gives a table " showing the mortality in the several districts under the
Metropolitan Board, which is entrusted with carrying out the drainage and
other public works for improving the health of London. The results deserve
careful study. They measure the efficiency of local administration." From
this it appears that of the 38 Districts into which the Metropolitan Area
divided the rate of mortality has been greater in 24 than in the Fulham
District, less in 10, and about equal in 3. The total mortality of London
has been 80,129, that of the Fulham District 1,149. The rate of mortality
for London 2.6 per cent., that of the Fulham District 2.4 per cent.
The estimated population of London in 1866 was 3,037,991; that of
the Fulham District 48,657 so that the former had increased its number of