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many proceedings were taken in reference to it. For several years this
spot has been an opprobrium to us. The deep sewer which has been
constructed in Field Road, and the accessory works now progressing in
connection with it, will all but complete I believe the scheme of your
Surveyor.
The prevalence of scarlet fever during the latter part of 1874,
proved the forecast of a serious Epidemic. For some time previously
the disease prevailed in some adjoining parishes. Rose
Gardens, in our district, was its centre of attack, and the
outbreak here I attribute to the proximity of a dust heap
brought from infected places. Some few other localities were visited
by the disease but the usual preventive measures sufficed to check
its spread.
In other respects our district was healthy throughout the year.
Thus then, Gentlemen, for the information of your constituents, I
have endeavoured, truthfully, to lead you through the two decades of
sanitary work. This resume of your labours cannot fail to be satisfactory
to all concerned, since it shows how assiduously you Lave kept in
view the one great object, the general improvement of the district
committed to your charge.
It may now, indeed, be said that for salubrity of air, perfection
of sewerage, and advantage of position, the Fulham district slands
unrivalled within the Metropolitan area.
With reference to the general influence of sanitary measures upon
the health of the people, the Registrar-General in his recent nummary,
remarks "that by a general law under existing sanitary
"conditions of England the mortality increases with the density of
"the population, and in such a way as to make the increased rate of
"mortality equivalent to nearly the eighth root of the increase of
"density.
"Now there were 25 persons to an acre in London, in 1841, and
"42 persons to an acre in 1871, the mortality in the years 184C-4
"was 24.4, and by the increase of density it should have been 26.0
"in 1871; but it was on an average 235 in the five years of which
"1871 is the middle. So it is a fair inference that the health of
"London, instead of getting worse by reason of increased density, has
"grown better by countervailing sanitary measures."
The number of deaths registered in the Fulham district during the
year 1875 was 1862 and of these 514 were of children under 1 year of
age, and 386 of persons of 60 years of age and upwards.
Of the total deaths, small-pox caused 1; measles 50; scarlet fever
137; diphtheria 9; whooping cough 76; typhus fever 6; enteric fever
21; simple fever 5; diarrhœa 95, and cholera 7. The deaths from
violence were 54; 138 persons died in public Institutions, and there
were 126 inquests held in the district.