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45
APPENDIX NO. 1.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH,
From March 25th, 1888, to March 25th, 1889.
To the Chairman and Members of the Vestry of Rotherhithe :—
Gentlemen,
I have the pleasure of offering to your consideration, the subjoined
statistics relating to the sanitary state of our Parish. They form a brief epitome of
what has at your general fortnightly meetings been read to you.
In estimating the death-rate, I have calculated it on the number 44,525, which
has been assumed to be the probable number of inhabitants. I am aware that this
number has been called in question, and that it has been accused of being too high
an estimate. There will be no absolute certainty as to the number of the population
until the result of the next census has been issued. Ten years is a long
period —too long in the opinion of many Medical Officers of Health—to wait for
the rectification of the numbers issued by the Registrar General. I have
consequently united with other Medical Officers of Health and Statisticians in
petitioning the House of Commons, that the census should be taken every five
years, that is, made quinquennial instead of decennial. Much more accurate and
reliable information will thus be obtainable ; and any reasons for suspecting the
accuracy of vital statistics will be done away with.
Number of Births registered : —
Males.
Females.
Totals.
In the first quarter
198
158
356
In the second quarter
185
163
348
In the third quarter
172
190
362
In the fourth quarter
219
161
380
774
672
1446
Number of Deaths registered :—
Males.
Females.
Totals.
In the first quarter
85
98
183
In the second quarter
124
I02
226
In the third quarter
107
102
209
In the fourth quarter
123
109
232
439
411
850