View report page

10
notorious that Small pox is now more prevalent in London than it
has been for many years, it appears desirable to take this opportunity
of offering a word of warning and advice. It is incontestable
that we possess a safe-guard against its virulance, if not
against its approach. The history of the disease clearly demonstrates
that vaccination operates as a preventive; and even when
it proves inadequate to ward off the disease, it assumes a mild and
modified form, and death seldom ensues. On a former occasion I
directed attention to the conclusive fact that the statistics of the
Small pox Hospital for ten years prove that, of vaccinated persons,
only 7 per cent. die, while of those not vaccinated the per centage
of deaths is 36. Indeed it has been suggested, by those who have
had considerable experience in the matter, that if the operation
were more effectually and carefully performed than has frequently
been the case, this death rate would be still lower. These facta
should be sufficient to disarm prejudice and waken parents and
others to a sense of their responsibility; and it is most earnestly to
be desired that all who read these pages will avail themselves of
the facilities now offered, and take advantage of this salutary safeguard
in all cases where vaccination has not been performed.
From a careful consideration of the statistics of mortality in
connection with the peculiar circumstances of the District, the
following gratifying results are obtained. The rate of mortality
has not been perceptibly higher than the rest of London,
and much lower than some Districts. There was an aggregate
decrease of 148 deaths from all causes, which was at least only
partially due to a diminished population. The deaths from
Epidemics was only one in excess of the previous year. From
Phthisis and diseases of the respiratory organs there was a diminution
of 57. A large proportion of the deaths registered resulted
from senile decay, and consequently a much smaller number died
from among the young. There were 309 more births than deaths.
Considering the crowded state of the locality in connection
with these facts, it should excite gratitude as well as surprise that
disease and death have been sparing of their visitations. It is
necessary again to repeat that very little can be done by public
Boards and their officers without co-operation. Poverty, dirt, intemperance,
and disease too frequently go hand in hand. The
advantages of cleanliness and ventilation are almost universally
ignored by the lower classes. The ignorance of the poor on such
points, is only exceeded by the ignorance of the wealthy as to
their actual condition. We should therefore leaven our blame
with pity, and frequently excuse where we are tempted to accuse.
Use, it has been truly said, is second nature, and small ill ventilated
filthy rooms are not so obnoxious to those who have been reared
in them, as to higher classes, who have been accustomed to the
comforts of a well ordered home. In the execution of public, and
perhaps necessary works in this District, the poor have been put
to great inconvenience, and in many cases harshly treated, and it
is to be hoped as they advance towards completion, healthier