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129, St. Paul's, 1049, and Fulham, 958. There was, therefore,
as compared with the average mortality during the last five
years, a decrease of 4 deaths in St. Peter's, an increase of 27
deaths in St. Paul's, and an increase of 100 deaths in Fulham.
The increase in Fulham is due in a great measure to the 81
deaths of non-parishioners which took place in the Fulham
Asylum hospital. An allowance for these deaths ought to be
made as the hospital has been open for the reception of small
pox cases for only three years out of the five, on which the
average is taken. Thus we see that notwithstanding the great
increase of population last year, the number of deaths is
scarcely increased at all. This fact tends to show an improvement
in the public health of this district, for otherwise we should
expect the mortality rate to increase in direct ratio with the
increase in density of the population. We see that it has
decreased as it were in direct ratio with the increase of the
population.
The number of deaths of infants one year of age and under was
602 against 648 during the previous year. There were 30 in
Peter's, 284 in St. Paul's, and 288 in Fulham, against 30 in St.
Peter's, 335 in St. Paul's, and 283 in Fulham during the previous
year. The deaths one year of age and under were equal to 26.6
per cent, of the total deaths registered, and 15.2 per cent, of the
total registered births. The per centage of deaths at one year of
age and under in the whole of London was 23.1 to the total deaths
registered, and 147 to the total registered births. In the three
sub-districts the percentage of deaths one year of age and under
to the total deaths and total births respectively, was: St. Peter's,
24.0 and 11.1, St. Paul's, 26 4 and 13.4, Fulham, 27 2 and 18.2.
In all the three sub-districts the percentage of these deaths to the
total deaths registered was greater than in all London, but in St.
Peter's and St. Paul's the percentage to the total registered births
was less than in all London, while in Fulham both the percentages
were greater. The fact of the very large increase in the number
of births is sufficient to account to some extent for the large
mortality of infants.
The number of deaths at 60 years of age and upwards was 464,
of which there were 35 in St. Peter's, 257 in St. Paul's, and 172 in
Fulham, against 38 in St. Peter's, 230 in St. Paul's, and 178 in
Fulham, registered during the previous year. These deaths were
equal to 20.5 per cent, of the total deaths registered, while the
percentage of the same in all London was 22.6. The percentage
of deaths of infants one year of age and under was lower last year
than the previous year, notwithstanding the very severe winter in
1879. This is a favourable indication, as it is an admitted fact
that the health of the community as a rule bears direct ratio to the
percentage of deaths of infants. When we take into consideration