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6
are those in the Eastern Division still larger. That if zymotic diseases
—in their fatality, the most sure criterion of a sanitary condition—have
run up to nearly 23 per cent. in the total death*, there are other
Districts with a yet graver account; that if 667 children, under 5
years of age, or nearly one-half of the total, have been swept away, it
is poor satisfaction if I look elsewhere for a still heavier catalogue.
Now, what is the source of all this inordinate mortality ?" is a
question it might bo expected to bo asked, and, most certainly, ought to
be answered.
Apart from special diseases of the zymotic class, as measles and
scarlatina, which have devastated London, as an epidemic, I learn that
fever (proper) which unquestionably owes its origin more especially to
local causes, has doubled the number of its victims during the past
year, having risen from 55 to 115 in the Limehouse District. This
destruction of human life is not so general; it is more limited to the
East End of London, as the following comparison will show, from the
reports, taken at random of two influential Districts:—
1862.
St. Jas's, Westminster, Fever, 13 deaths, or 17 on 1,000 deaths.
St. Marylebone „ 104 or 27 „
Limehouse District „ 115 or 77 „
Or, to make the contrast and the fact still more striking, I will
present the statement thus—
St. Jas's, Westminster, in 100,000 persons 37 have died of Fever.
St. Marylebone „ 63 „
Limehouse District „ 203 „
Nor let this comparison be considered an extreme case. It is
otherwise. Were I to take some of the Northern Districts—Hackney,
for instance, the disparity would be found still more remarkable. I
have, perchance, however, fixed upon two of the Western divisions,
notwithstanding a large admixture of "the upper ten thousand," as
affording no indifferent examples for comparison with that of the
extreme East.
Then what makes all the difference, without entering on the
general question of mortality, between the three districts, in respect of
fever ?