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8
MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.
Gentlemen,
On the 20th Anniversary of the Saint Saviour's District Board
of Works, I regret that it becomes my duty to place before you
statistics of mortality exhibiting a death-rate higher than that of
the last and some previous years. The number of deaths registered
in the 52 weeks of 187.5 was 812; and although this number has
occasionally been exceeded in former annual returns, it is nevertheless
discouraging to find it higher than that of 1874. The
rate of mortality, per 1000, of persons living at all ages, during the
year just closed, was a little more than 25. This estimate, though
below some adjacent districts, is about the same as the whole of the
southern division of London, and also of 18 of the largest towns in
England. The death rate of the entire Metropolis was a considerable
advance upon that of 1874, and was higher than the average
of five previous years.
These facts tend to lessen the feeling of discouragement that may
possibly be felt in view of an increase of 85 deaths in this district.
The mortality from several causes was in 1874 exceptionally
low. In 1875 the deaths from Measles, Scarlet Fever, Whooping
Cough, and other epidemics were exceedingly numerous over the
whole of the South, and were in no respect peculiar to Saint
Saviour's and Christchurch.
To form a correct estimate of relative mortality, it must be borne
in mind that this is a water-side district, and many cases are
consequently registered here of persons found dead in the Thames
who had previously resided in other parts of the Metropolis; and
also that it contains a Workhouse occupied by the aged poor belonging
to Parishes other than those of which it is comprised.
Last year there was an increase of 35 deaths from Measles,
32 from Scarlet Fever, and 11 from Whooping Cough; making,
from three causes alone, an addition of 78, besides a smaller
number from other zymotic diseases, which are shown in the
appended tables. There were also 20 other deaths in the Workhouse.