The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-12 00:00:00

HEALTH OF LONDON DURLNG THE WEEK.

The official report says:—The total number of
deaths registered in the metropotitaa districts in the week
that ended last Saturday was 965. In the ten correspond-'
ing weeks of the years 1843 52 the average number was
1,145, which, if ratted in proportion to the increase of popu-
lation during these years, gives a mortality of 1,260 for the
present time. Therefore the deaths returned last week ex-
hibit a reduction of 295 on the estimated amount.
The present return showy that 487 males and 478 females
died last week. and of these deaths 432 occurred under 15
years of age, 319 at 15 and under 60 years, sad 209 at 60
years and upwards. As regards the causes to which the
965 eases are assigned, the epidemic class numbers the
largest proportion, namely 206, though this falls below the
average of corresponding weeks ; and the next in numerical
results are " diseases of the organs of respiration," to which
only 174 deaths were referred last week. The mortality et
the latter class is lower than in any corresponding week
since 1840, the numbers in this period ranging from 183 to
429, and is less than the corrected average of the ten corre-
sponding weeks by 124. The 174 deaths are thus distri-
buted :—To laryngitis, 4 ; bronchitis, 93 ; pleurisy, 5 ;
pneumonia, 52 ; asthma, 11 ; other diseases of the respi-
ratory organs, 9. Phthisis, which stands in the tubercular
class, also exhibits a comparatively low mortality, there
being 104 deaths ascribed to it (all of which except 9 oc
cured between 15 and 60 years), while the corrected ave-
rage for the week is 147.
Of the fatal cases of epidemics 2 were caused by smallpox,
11 by moults, 66 by scarlatina, 35 by hooping-cangh, 7 by
croup, 1 by thrush, 18 by diarrhcca, 2 by dysentery, 4 by
influenza, 3 by infantile and remittent fever, 13 by typhus,
4by puerperal fever (besides 3 others from diseases inci-
dental to childbearing), 1 by rheumatic fever, 7 by ery-
sipelas, and 2 by syphilis.
In the cast sub-district of Islington, at 4, City-gardens,
on 3rd January, the son of a biro-dealer, aged one year,
died of "scarlatina; exhaustion." This house (says Mr.
Butterfield, the registrar) is never free from disease ; for
the last twelve montns scarlatina and small-pox have ex-
isted without interruption. The drains are bad.
In Brampton, at 1, Farmer's-place, on 6:11 January, the
daughter of an ostler, aged 5 months, of " dentition (3
weeks), hydrocephalus, pertussis." Mr. Stone, the regis-
trar, says The informant complaiued much of the bad
smell pervading the house front defective drainage. This
is the fourth child that has died in Farmer's-place since
March last. The row consists of only six houses, the whole
of which are in a state highly prejudicial to the health et
the poor occupants."
In the Camden Town sub-district, at 1, Paradise-row,
Pancras-road, on 3rd January, a general dealer, aged 50
years, died of "dyspepsia, atrophy (6 months), diarrhaia,
peritonitis (7 days). Mr. Hull, the registrar, writes as
follows " This place is one of the most disgusting in my
district. It is inhabited by cost:Tmongers and persons of
' that class, who arc very dirty is their habits, and increase
the filth which naturally attaches to their various callings
by their carelessness. The open space in trout of their
dwellings is strewed with ashes, oyster shells, stinking fish,
decayed vegetables, dung, and every descriptien of matter
injurious to health. Mr. Sutherin, the district surgeon,'
has done all he can by advice and remonstrance to remedy
the evil, but without effect. It was here the cholera broke
out, and if it should again make its appearance there is no
doubt it would produce very settees effects in the neigh-
bourhood. It is much to be lamented there is nu sanitary
board in the parish."
On Gth January a merchant, aged 46 years, dice of " car-
buncle." On 4th January a pensioner at Greenwich, aged
75 years, died of "old age; anthrax (2 months), disinter:ea,
(12 days)." At the neyal Hospital, Greenwich, seven
pensioners died between the 2nd and sth January inclusive,
at the average ago of 74 years.
Last week the births of 724 boys and 715 girls—in all,
1,439 children, were registered in London. The average
number in eight corresponding weeks of the years 181,5-52
was 1,407.
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 29.455 in. The mean
temperature of the week was 4-5.3 deg., which is 0.7 deg.
above the average of the same week in 33 years. The mean
daily temperature was much above the average on every
day of the week. It was highest en Sunday, when it was
48.9 deg., or 12.6 deg. above the average, and on the fol-
lowing days the excess was successively 7.7 deg., 11.3 deg.,
9.7 deg., 7.2 deg., 11.4 deg., and 8.3 deg. The wind blew
from the south or south-west. The amount of rain that
fell in the week was 0.71 in. The difference between
the dew point temperature nod air temperature was
5.8 deg.