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11
Proceedings that have been carried into effect by the Vestry,
for the Removal of Nuisances, and the Improvement of
the Sanitary condition of the Parish.
The Medical Officer of Health reports as follows:
During the year ending on the last day of December, 1863, 3309
deaths, and 5202 births were registered. If we assume that the population
of Shoreditcii has maintained, since the census of 1861, the annual
rate of increase which was observed during the ten years 1851-61, this
will give for the year 1863, a population amounting to 133,169. Calculated
on this basis the death-rate for the year will be 1 in 40¼, or rather
less than 25 per 1000, including the deaths in St. Luke's Workhouse.
Excluding these, but still including the deaths, 25 in number, that
occurred in Hoxton Asylum, the death-rate of Shoreditch will be 23.5
per 1000, the death rate of the whole metropolis was 24.5 per 1000.
shewing 1 death per 1000 less, in favour of the district. The rate of
mortality for the Eastern districts, of which Shoreditch forms a part, was
26.55 per 1000. Here again the contrast is still more striking in favour
of Shoreditch, there being a saving of 3 deaths in every 1000 of population
living.
It is, however, necessary to take into consideration the great disturbances
in the population which have taken place through the extensive
railway operations in Shoreditch, during 1863. It will be proper to
enquire whether in the face of these disturbances the annual rate of
increase of the population has been really maintained.
The materials at our disposal, enable us, I believe, to arrive at a
result approximate to the truth. At the time of the Census of 1861,
the demolition of houses and the attendant displacement of inhabitants
had not begun. The gross population then numbered 129,339. The
total births during 1861, amounted to 4,864. This will give 1 birth to
every 27 persons living. In 1862 the total births were 5,528, giving 1
birth to every 24 persons living, although during this year considerable
demolitions had taken place. In 1863 there were registered 5,202
births, giving 1 birth to every 25 persons living. It will thus appear