View report page

44
The annual death-rate per 1000 population in Mile
End was 20.5; that for the whole Metropolis for 1878
was 23.4 per 1000. The death-rate for seven principal
infectious diseases was 3.26 per 1000 in Mile End and
13.77 in the Metropolis generally, and average of
twenty largest towns 4.2, so that we compare favourably
under all three heads of marriages, births and
deaths, the rates per 1000 population in England and
Wales under these beads respectively being as follow :
England and Wales—marriages 16.6, births 35.7,
deaths 21.8.
In Mile End— 18.5, 39, and 20.5; all in the right
direction.
Of the 18 deaths from small-pox during the year,
16 occurred in the first quarter and 2 in the last, there
being none in the summer quarters ; so that I hope we
may consider this long continued epidemic (as such) is
practically at an end. On the other hand, the mortality
from scarlet-fever has increased; hooping-cough and
diarrhoea were more fatal than during the previous
year. Both these diseases of childhood are too often
viewed lightly by parents and allowed to progress too
far before skilled treatment is obtained, hence the
large continuous mortality and, in cases of recovery,
from hooping-cough especially, serious effects upon
different organs and more or less permanent, are
frequently left behind. The different kinds of fevers
were much less fatal than in the previous year. Eight
cases were certified as from cholera, but evidently not
of the malignant epidemic character and probably the
result of neglected diarrhoea.
In all cases of infectious diseases coming under my
notice, I directed printed Sanitary Instructions and
Cautions to be left at the houses. Official notices were
also served by the Inspector (see his Report). In this
way, I am sure, a great deal of good has been done, in