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15
32 deaths occurred in the House of Correction, and 5 in the House
of Detention; the numbers for the preceding year being respectively
29 and 2.
186 deaths took place in the Workhouse; the numbers for the last
Eight years having been 120, 137, 160, 172, 158, 167, 174, and 156.
The Accidental deaths were 17, against 20 in 1866; viz: 3 from
fractures and contusions; 2 from burns and scalds; and 12 from suffocation
of infants.
4 deaths arose from murder; and 9 from suicide, viz; 1 from a
wound; 6 from hanging; and 2 from falls from a height.
115 inquests were held during the year, including the 37 upon
prisoners who died in the prisons.
The further particulars of the deaths are given in the table which
is appended to this Eeport.
It is evident, that the year has been a decidedly favorable one,
in a sanitary point of view; both the general mortality, as well as that
arising from Zymotic diseases, being below the average.
The mortality from Small Pox has been unusually great, and the
number of cases of the disease prevailing in the parish must have been very
large. As a new Act of Parliament has been passed in regard to the
enforcement of Vaccination, it is to be hoped that the deaths from this
disease will cease to present a prominent figure.
As the Small Pox was very prevalent in the spring of the year, the
usual hand bills were posted, directing attention to the importance of
vaccination, and indicating the addresses and hours of attendance of the
publio vaccinators.
Typhus has also caused a large mortality. How this is attributable
to ill-constructed habitations, and too crowded a state of the occupants,
may be well illustrated by an outbreak which occured in Union Place.
This is a very narrow court surrounded by high houses, closed at both
ends by walls, save at a narrow doorway. The seven houses are tworoomed,
the rooms very small, and without back ventilation. They
were occupied by 30 persons; and among these occurred 17 cases of
Typhus, and 4 deaths ; 3 of them arising in parents of families.
Until more energetic measures are taken to diminish the overcrowding
of the poorer inhabitants, and to give them proper breathing
space in their dwellings, there will be little chance of keeping down the
mortality from this disease.
Much also constantly requires to be done, in enforcing the more
cleanly state of the apartments occupied by the poorer classes. In many
cases, I believe these evils will be more effectually remedied, by serving