The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-28 00:00:00

STATE OP THE PUBLIC HEALTH._

England is one of the few countries of the world in
which the rate of mortality is lowest in the hot season. In
the three months ending September, 181i1, the mortality,
calculated on the population, was at the rate of 2.020 per
cent., which was slightly below the average (2.099) of the
ten preeedingsurnmer quarters ; in the three months ending
December, 1841, the mortality was at the rate of 2.182 per
cent., which, on the other hand, ia slightly above the ave-
rage (2.162) of the ten preceding autumn quarters. The
spring mouths of April, May, June, stand higher than the
autumn quarter in the order of mortality ; while in the
three months of January, February, and March, the mor-
tality is highest in winter.
The mortality of the large towns is, in the first and se-
cond half of the year respectively, one-fifth sod one-third
part higher in the large towns than it is in the country
districts and small towns, where many causes of insalubrity
also ezint—the same canoes that destroy the lives of so
many people, degrade the lives of more, and may, ulti-
mately, it is to be feared, have a very unfavourable effect
on the energies of a large proportion of the English race.
Here is, then, a wide field for salutary and beneficent
reforms. _ . .

The mortality of the large town districts in the last
quarter of 1861 is slightly below the average ; and this
may be hailed with satisfaction as an indication of sanitary
activity. Uulortunately the mortality in the small towns
and in the country districts has increased to some eztent,
end thus left the mortality of the kingdom above the
average.
Scarlatina, measles, @million:, and fever have been epi-
demic in many districts, as d eve still prevailing.
The weather in the three months is shown by the returns
collated by Mr. Olaiiher to have presented some extraordi•
nary deviations from the ordinary state of things. The fall
of rain in the throe mouths was only two-fifths of the usual
quantity; many springs and small streams eased to flow;
and the atmosphere, containing less vapour than usual, was
dry. The effect of the change in the meteorology on the
public health and the growing crepe must be carefully
watched during the present year.
In London 14,355 deaths were registered in the
quarter, while only 12,946 deaths were registered in the
corresponding quarter of the previous year. Upon
looking back to 1817, when influenza was epi-
demic, and 18,686 persons died, there is matter
of congratulation in the fact that at present the metropolis
is cermet from any extraordinary epelenues,anit is, allowing
for increase of population, losing less than the average
number of lives. 3,137 persons died in 13 weeks of zymodie
diseases; by stash-pox, 330 ; measles, 201; scarlatina, 603 ;
hooping.cough, 046; diarrheas, 401. These were chiefly
children. Only 16 deaths were referred to cholera, at
deaths were referred to influenza, 1,650 to bronchitis, and
1,053 to pneumonia. Thu inflammations of the sir tubes
and lungs have thus been rather more prevalent than usual,
which may be partly the result of the extremely cold wea-
ther in November, and partly the consequence of influenza.
Consumption was unusually fatal: 1,737 persons died of
this disease, which was the !MIRO of tine-eighth part of the
total death.. Typhus, or continued fever, was fatal in 770
instances, erysipelas in 116, metre in 60, other accidents
incidental to childbirth in 59. Carbuncle was fatal in 9
cases, sod 18 deaths were referred to purpure or scurvy.
These disease. are important, as their unusual prevalence
&novel a low tone of health, only to he combated by fruit
OT wine, which is not within the reach of the people.
In the South-eastern Division the mortality was near the
average. linKhum, however, was esceedingly unhealthy,
chiefly from scarlatina and measles; the deaths in the
quarter were 610 from all causes, out of a population of
upwards of 66,000. The health of the people of ilenforol-
shire, Backinghamehire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cans-
bridgethire, of all the South llidLind counties, was un-
sausßy good.
Ths Beaten Counties, Bests, sarak, and Norfolk, had
fewer deaths then usual. Of the 31 deaths registered in
the irab-dietriet of Docking only 16 had the attendees* of
medical me., Of six children who died of inflammation of
the eked sad of scarlatina throe were without medical '