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hope in some measure to lessen the evil, but the remedy lies principally
with the natural guardians of the young; and when temperance,
cleanliness, and a strict observance of home duties more
extensively prevail, fewer of these little ones will prematurely pine
sway and die.
The Comparative Table also exhibits a result favorable to the
healthiness of the Saint Saviour's District. You will perceive that
the per centage of mortality for the whole of London is 2.452; in the
South Districts, 2.337: while in Saint Saviour it is only 2.244.
Of the deaths from Zymotic diseases there was, as compared with
last year, an increase in Small Pox of 13, Scarlet Fever 17, and
Typhus 5. There was a decrease in Measles of 18, Diphtheria 2,
Hooping Cough 15, and Diarrhœa 9—making a total decrease of
11 deaths from epidemic diseases. If the mortality of Saint Saviour's
District from these causes be compared with the whole of London
and the Southern group, the same gratifying result appears. The
deaths per thousand were 5.54 in London, 5.62 in the South, and
only 4.89 in Saint Saviour's; while in some of the South Subdistricts
the mortality reached 7.55 per thousand from epidemics.
A result equally favorable is obtained by comparing the mortality
from Fever alone. In London 7,907 deaths were registered; in
the South Districts 1,959; and in Saint Saviour's District 81.
These figures give for every thousand living persons, 2.84 deaths in
London; 2.58 in the South Districts; and 2.22 in the Saint
Saviour's district.
The 106 deaths in the Workhouse is apparently an excessive
proportion of the whole number; but it must not be forgotten that
nearly all the inmates of that establishment are aged and infirm, and
many are sent there that they may die surrounded by such comforts
as their own homes could not afford. 57 of those who died were
upwards of 60 years old, and of these 9 were more than 80 years.
It is a satisfactory indication of the general healthiness of the
Workhouse, that no fatal case of Zymotic disease occurred during
the year.
In the District there wore 21 deaths from violent or unnatural
causes. Of the 26 registered in Guy's Hospital, 18 died from the
effects of tire, in which number are included four children sent from
the Parish of Saint Saviour.
The births in the District were 305 in excess of the deaths.
As the prospect of the opening year was somewhat clouded by the
extensive prevalence of Small Pox, it should excite our gratitude
that we have to record only 15 deaths from that cause. In my
last Report I took the liberty of giving the inhabitants a few words
of warning and advice. The Guardians of the Union also promptly
and extensively issued notices calling their attention to the requirements
of the compulsory Vaccination Act; and the abatement of that
loathsome disease may, without presumption, be partly attributed to
the vigorous measures adopted by public Boards and their Officers.