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45
One of the greatest difficulties I have to contend
with is the tendency to overcrowding in some parts
of the Parish. It is not so much that persons do
not remove when notice is served, but that from the
constant changes of residence occurring amongst
the poor, it is almost impossible to supervise the
number of inhabitants contained in each room.
That typhus is not more prevalent in our population
depends upon the fact, that, although overcrowded,
they are not under-fed. I have not any means of
ascertaining the average wages of the working
people of this Parish, but on turning to the Census
of Occupations it will be seen that only 152 persons
returned themselves as labourers, thus shewing that
the great mass of the employed are skilled artisans
who earn high wages. It is only upon the supposition
that our poor are well fed and clothed that
we can explain their security from typhus fever.
In many districts of the Metropolis where the
population is much thinner the proportion of typhus
is much greater. I present you with the results of
an investigation into this subject by Mr. Orton,
Medical Officer for the Limehouse District.
Deaths from Typhus in 1862.
St. James's, Westminster, 13 or 17 in 1000 deaths.
St. Marylebone, 104 „ 27 ,, 1000 „
Limehouse District, 115 „ 77 „ 1000 „