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respectively, was for St. Peter's 21.7 and 10.9, St. Paul's 28.6 and
14.9, Fulham 31.4. and 16.9. In St. Peter's, therefore, the per
centage of these deaths to the total deaths and births was less
than that of all London. In St. Paul's the per centage was
greater as compated with the total deaths, but less as compared
with the total births, while in Fulham both the per centages
were greater than those of London. The very large poor population
in many parts of Fulham is sufficient to account for the
larger mortality among infants in that portion of the district.
We may judge what a great improvement in the public health of
London has taken place since the passing of the Metropolis
Local Management Act in 1855, by the fact that the infantile
mortality in that year was at the rate of 42.1 per cent. to the
total deaths registered, and 30.3 per cent. to the total registered
births. Those persons who complain of the evils of local
self - government in the present day should compare the
condition of public health now, to what it was before the
time of the appointment of your Board. For a period of 25
years your Board has been constituted, and as a matter of
fact the fruits of your labours have been that the condition of
the public health of your district has continued to improve more
and more during every year that you, as a public body, have been
in existence. It is generally admitted as a fact in sanitary
science that the infantile mortality is one of the best indications
of the condition of public health. It is most interesting and
satisfactory therefore to compare its present condition with what
it was 25 vears ago.
The following table shows the infantile mortality rate in
London registered in the years 1855 and 1880:—
1855
1880
Per centage of deaths of infants under five
years of age as compared with the total deaths
registered
42.1
30.1
Per centage of deaths of infants under five
years of age as compared with the total births
registered
25.8
15.8
The number of deaths at 60 years of age and upwards was
432, of which there were 24 in St. Peter's, 227 in St. Paul's
and 181 in Fulham, against 35 in St. Peter's, 257 in St. Paul's,
and 172 in Fulham registered the previous year. The deaths
were equal to 19.5 per cent. of the total deaths registered,
while the per centage of the same in all London was 20.9.
The rapid development of this district that is now taking place
is the cause of this per centage being lower in the district
than in London. In a new neighbourhood there is always a