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In the Workhouse there were 84 deaths; being a mortality of
40 loss than in tho year 1864. This must be regarded as a very
low death-rate. In my first year of office tho number was 90; and
in soveral subsequent years it has been considerably higher. In
order to appreciate the full extent of this favorablo result, it must bo
observed that, since the erection of a separate building for the sick,
the number of pauper patients has increased nearly threefold. Tho
Guardians of the Saint Saviour's Union have long been alive to tho
necessity of providing for tho comfort and convenience of tho sick
poor; and by their sympathy, and ungrudging liberality, have
rendered tho Infirmary of tho Workhouso a desirable refugo for
tho afflicted. The difference between tho comfort of tho Infirmary
and tho sick room outside is an inducement to largo numbers to
seek admission who, but a few years sinco, would have been been
contented to receivo the medical attendance of tho District Officer,
and such conveniences and nursing as their own homes would
afford.
Taking the population of 1861 as tho basis of calculation, tho
mortality of the Saint Saviour's District has been nearly 22 to every
thousand living persons; that of tho South Districts 25½, and that
of the whole of London 26. After making overy allowance for tho
variation of the population sinco tho period of tho last census, it
remains incontestiblo that Saint Saviour still maintains a favorablo
position in this comparison; and, as it was formerly far otherwiso,
there can bo no presumption in claiming for tho labors of this Board
some sharo of merit in producing so happy a result.
With respect to those diseases which aro peculiarly frequent
and fatal in our climate, tho deaths were fewer last year by 24.
Tliero was an increase of 26 persons in tho mortality from Phthisis,
but a decrease of 50 from other diseases of tho respiratory organs.
From Zymotic disease there was a total decreaso of 28 deaths.
From Small Pox there was an increaso of 3, from Diarrhoea 6, and as
many as 27 from Whooping Cough. But against these there was a
decreaso of 1 from Diphtheria, 8 from Measles and 50 from Fever.
Excepting in tho case of Whooping Cough, from which cause there
was an excessively high mortality, the same law appears to have
regulated tho death-rate, from Epidemic Diseaso, throughout tho
Metropolis.
Tho Births registered in the District during tho year numbored
1,069, being an oxcoss of 281 births over deaths.
From tho commencement of the past year another visit of
Cholera has been very generally apprehended and dreaded. We
have reason to bo grateful, however, that tho year passed away
without the realisation of these unpleasant anticipations; and should
this fearful scourge yet appear in our midst, it would doubtless bo
unattended with that panic which appears to have seized so many
communities on the continent of Europo. While little progress