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19
"On comparing this mortality with that of the whole metropolis,
the numbers amounted per thousand in the metropolis, in 1862, to 23;
in 1870, to 24 (1871 not yet published); so that not only has the
mortality of Clerkenwell for the last two years been below the average
belonging to the parish, and below that of any of the last ten years,
but also below that of the metropolis generally.
"The table'* I published in my report to the Vestry for 1863, also
has interest in regard to this point. In it I showed that, out of the
35 metropolitan districts or parishes, Clerkenwell was tho twelfth in
regard to its mortality.
" Honce the resolution of the Vestry referred to does not appear to
be founded on facts.
" It should be remembered also that the police authorities have
powers where the Vestry fails in duty, also that the Privy Council
have the same independent power. But although tho police have
often given information of important nuisances, which has always
been at once acted upon by the Vestry, neither the police nor the
Privy Council have ever found it necessary to exercise their independent
power in Clerkenwell.
"These are the most important points to which I should beg to
direct the attention of the Vestry. But when the mortality per 1,000
is about 22 or 23, it is very difficult to reduce it without educating
and improving the social and sanitary habits of the people."
Extract from Medical Officer's Annual Report, 1881-2.
" The mortality of the year 1881 has thus been below the average;
and, in fact, below that of any year since the formation of the
Vestry."
" And the so recently taken census assures us that this does not
arise from a diminution of population, which was found to have
decidedly increased."
Extract from Special Report.—Letter of February 4 th, 1884.
" I notice in the issue of the Times for January 26th the report of a
speech made by Sir Charles Dilke, in which the Parish of Clerkenwell
is denounced as one of the retrograde Metropolitan Parishes. I
beg to remark that if this statement is intended to apply to the sanitary
condition of the Parish, it is not founded upon fact. In 1878, I
reported that the mortality was lower than it had been since the
establishment of the Vestry. In subsequent years it fell still lower;
and I have now to report that the mortality of the past year has been
again less than in any previous year, amounting to only 18 per 1,000,
and this notwithstanding an increase of population, while the mortality
of all London is 21, that of the north district 19, the west district 19,
the south 20, the central 23, and the east district 23."
* As this Table showing the then sanitary status of the several Parishes or
Districts in the Metropolis, has special interest at the pretent time, it will be
found reprinted as an Appendix (No. 3), at the end of the Report, page 110.
r. p., V. c.