View report page

8
MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
The mortality of the Saint Saviour's District, in the
year 1808, was exceptionally low. The number of deaths was
not only smaller than that of any previous year upon the records
of this Board—and consequently far below the average—but
was comparatively smaller than in most other Districts of
London. The continuance of so favourable a state of the public
health, as indicated by this death-rate, could not reasonably have
been expected, and therefore it is satisfactory to know that
although the deaths in the District, during the year I860,
exceeded those recorded in the year preceding by 100, still the
rate was much below the average of the last ten years; and that,
in comparison with the Southern Districts and the whole of
London the returns are most encouraging, so far as the District
is concerned.
I have observed, in previous Reports, that calculations for
comparison are based upon the census of 18G1, and that
doubtless, many Districts, and also the whole of the Metropolis,
have increased in population in a greater proportion than has
occurred in your District. In spite of these modifying considerations,
however, it is unquestionable that St. • Saviour's
occupies an enviable position in a sanitary point of view. The
Registrar-General will again shortly number the population, and
it will then be possible to make an exact comparison with the
other Districts of London.
The most noticeable feature of the public health, during the
past year, was the appearance and prevalence of Relapsing Fever.
This disease is almost unknown in England, and therefore, for
the information of the Public, it is desirable to mention the chief
symptoms.
Like many other epidemics it has been almost exclusively
confined to the poorer classes. It is contagious, but much less
fatal than Scarlet or Typhus Fever; it generally commences with
chilliness; there is but little eruption of the skin, and that not of
specific character; the mind is usually clear, but the bodily pain
much greater than in more fatal fevers ; the skin becomes heated,
the pulse quick, the liver enlarged, the breathing rapid and painful
; vomiting generally occurs, and frequently constipation.
These symptoms terminate abruptly about the sixth day, with
profuse perspiration and a slow pulse ; the patient anticipates a
speedy recovery, is able to leave his bed, and in most cases,