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20
In the estimation of the mortality of the year everything
necessarily depends upon the correct determination of the population.
When the last Census was taken, in 1871, it was found
that a diminution of the population in the parish had occurred
to the extent of 301; but since that time, especially during the
last few years, there has been so much pulling down and rebuilding,
that the exact determination of the population becomes
difficult. Considering, however, that the number of births has
not materially altered, I think we may fairly assume that the
number of inhabitants has not to any considerable extent varied.
The density of persons to the acre also greatly influences the
mortality of a parish, the Central districts (of which Clerkenwell
is one) being at a disadvantage in this respect. In the West
districts there are 52 persons to the acre; in the North, 56; in
the Central, 150; in the East, 107; and in the South, 21. But
these numbers are varying considerably year by year.
On examining the table of deaths from zymotic (i.e., contagious
and infectious) diseases, it is seen that the deaths from Small
Pox occurring in the parish had increased; those from Measles
also; those from Scarlet Fever also; those from Hooping Cough
declined; those from Typhus increased; while those from
Diarrhoea diminished.
Hence, altogether, the deaths from these diseases, although
below the average of the last 10 years, were more numerous
than in the preceding year.
The epidemic of Small Pox, which began in the autumn of
1866, continued during the year to which this Report refers.
105 cases are known to have existed in the parish, 39 in the two
lower, or southern wards, and 66 in the three upper, or northern
wards. But as there is no law to compel the communication of
the occurrence of cases to the Vestry, no doubt there have been
other cafes, mostly in private practice, which have not been