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quarter of 1859. It may however be remarked that the year 1859, was
more favourable in respect to the fatality of this class of diseases than even
1855, 1856, or 1857. 3.—Very high in the list stand Brain-diseases.
These killed 221 persons, and if we add to this figure, as may perhaps
strictly be done, the deaths from Convulsions which destroyed 116 children,
and Apoplexy which cut off 47 adults, we get a total of 384 deaths
from affections of the nervous system. The medical statist is thus
brought face to face with another proof of the ever-increasing developement
of this class of diseases. To counteract this tendency, it is to be
feared that the sanitary reformer has more need of the aid of moral
influences, than of those powers which are limited to the modification of
certain physical conditions. 4.—We find Diarrhoea which destroyed 194
persons, of whom 169 were children under the ago of five years, 166 of
the deaths from this cause occurred in the autumn quarter, a season when
it replaces Bronchitis and Pneumonia as the destroyer of infant life.
In the 5th place, we have Scarlatina which proved fatal to 185 persons,
including 116 children under five years of age. 6.—We find that under
the vague terms Atrophy and Debility, there are registered 152 deaths.
Here again the heaviest blow fell upon the very young. 131 of the whole
were children under five years of age. 7.—Next in order, stands another
group of diseases disastrous to infant life. The various forms of Scrofula
destroyed 141 persons, of whom 112 were children under five years.
8.—Old Aye holds the next rank. 119 persons are recorded as having
dropped off from maturity of years without specified disease. To this
number might probably be added a large proportion of 100 deaths from
Bronchitis in persons who had exceeded the age of 60. Congestion of
the Lungs, frequently called Bronchitis, being in many cases simply a
mode of dying, not a cause of death. 9.—Fever appears on the list. 108
deaths are ascribed to this cause. But the number includes 17 which
occurred in St. Luke's Workhouse. Deducting these, we have 91 or less
than two cases weekly occurring in Shoreditch. 10 and 11.—Small-Pox
and Whoopiny-Cough each destroyed 87 persons. The mortality from
these causes again fell chiefly upon the very young. 12.—Diseases of the
Heart proved fatal to 84 persons. Of these, 74 had passed the age of 20.
13.—Stomach Diseases proved fatal to 70 persons. The following causes
although each contributing a figure small in comparison with the foregoing
are too important in themselves to be passed over without remark.
39 children prematurely born died from defective vital power. 39 persons