The Express.
London, England, 1847-02-08 00:00:00

QUARTERLY RETURN OF HEALTH AND

MORTALITY.

This valuable docTiiientputsns in possession of
the mortality amongst the population of 115 districts of Eng-
land during the quarter which ended on the 31st of last
December, as compared with preceding quarters. The com-
parison is very unfavourable to the former period ; 52,905
deaths were registered in the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1846,
which is 7,311 more than the corrected quarterly average
of previous years, and 13,727 more than were returned in
the corresponding mason of 1845. The deaths in 1848 were
60,000 more than in 1846; and nearly the whole of the ex-
cess in 1846 arose on the last two quarters of the Tear, from
diseases of a totally different character. Bronchitis (in many
Mee a consequence of influenza), asthma, rheumatism, and
devises of the stomach and liver were more than
usually fatal; 397 persons (including suicides) died
violent deaths ; a naraber nearly 100 greater than died from-
, the same causes in the December quarter of 1845. The
deaths from cold and want were nearly twice as numerous as
in previous years. These fatal ceases operated with fearful
effect in Manchester and Liverpool. The Registrar of St.
George's district, Manchester, says " During the last two
or three months, large numbers of the poor from Ireland
have crowded themselves in the districts, droves of them
rambling about the streets seeking lodgings, and no doubt
being exposed to the severe and inclement weather. Many
of the poor crezthres have died from cold producing fever
Andean? diseases." He adds: " The poverty and destitution
of the district at the present time is very great. The
houses are badly ventilated, and the unhealthy odour
arising from so many perilous huddled together in a confined
apartment, must have a very injurious effect. It cannot be
4..l.l:aiming that while such a state of things exists, the mor-
tality should be so great." These observations are confirmed
by the returns. The deaths in Manchester during the De-
cember quarter of 1845 were 2,555. In the corresponding
period of 1846, they were 4.029. In Liverpool, the deaths
during the same period increased from 1,981 to 2,735. It
appears from the returns of seven years, ending 1844, that
the mortality of Liverpool and Manchester, and the worst
parts of other towns, is nearly double the mortality of tole-
rably salubrious districts ; and the document before us shows
that while the mortality of the latter districts was raised 50
or 60 per cent., the frightful mortality of the denser districts
was raised from 70 to 100 per cent. in 1846, over 1845.
The increased mortality in London conveys but a faint
notion of the mortality in the larger town. of the country.
The deaths in the December quarter of 184.5 and 1846 were,
respectively, 11.695, and 13,033 in the London districts ;
27,483, and 39,872 in the other districts which made returns.
It appears that the manufacturing parts—the iron, coal,
pottery, cotton, and woollen districts—and generally, the
counties north of Staffordshire, were most severely visited.
The " high price of provisions, depression of trade, and
distress," are referred to by some of the registrars, as
causes of the high mortality in December; but it is
worthy of especial notice, that no mention is made of
the potato disease having had any direct connexion
with the mortality. Upon this subject the Registrar-
General says, " The potato, in a state of partial
disease ha., no doubt, been extensively consumed, without
giving rise to any specific malady in man, or indeed, having
any appreciable connexion with the disorders of the bowels
and fever, which grew prevalent about the time the last crop
came into use. The absurd and unfounded fancy that the
cholera epidemic, so fatal to infants at the breast and old
people, as well as others, is caused by fruit, or has any con-
nexion with the "plum-season." derives not the slightest
support from the obe rvations of the year, when the sup-
plies of fruit were unprecedently scanty." The registrar-
general conceives that the excessive mortality is principally
to be attributed to the animal and vegetable poisons, arising
from accumulated filth, crowding in dwellings and work-
shops, closeness of courts, imperfect supplies of water, and
the want of efficient sewers. The high temperature of
1848 amelerrited decomposition, and increased the virulence
of these effluvia poisons, as well as of the diseases which they
promote. Once grown epidemic, the diseases continued to
rage during the rest of the year. If it took place in obedi-
ence to any cyclical law, or toe general cause acting Ilitatli•
taneously in Asia and Europe, the great fact remains that
the deaths were nearly twice as numerous in ill-constructed
towns, where the poison is concentrated, as in the country,
where it is diluted and destroyed by the fresh
The registrar-general adduces, its powerful evidence of the
efficacy of sanitary measures, the comparative •mortality
amongst seamen during the last century, compared with
more recent period.. Anson lost in three Teasels in the
short period of 10 months 626 men out of 961 ; and in
1780 the Channel fleet sent 11,732 sick to Heeler Hos-
pital. At that time Sir James Saumares declared that
neither the ships nor men could keep the sea for more than
two months. Yet by the use of proper and judicious sani-
tary mammas, Cook, with a crew of 112 men sailed mend
the world and returned in three year., having lost only one
man by disease. In a paper, read before the Royal Society.,
he dm-vibes the means which he employed to secure the
health of his crew, which consisted, principally, in selecting
a good vessel, drying, and ventilating, good provisions, anti-
morbutics, and an abundant supply of fresh water. We
must not omit to notice the extraordinary increase of mor-
tality amongst women, who died in childbirth. These
increased from 95, in the December quarter of 184.5, to 163
in the corresponding period in 1846. The Registrar-General
justly remarks that " it is to be regretted that step. are not
taken in this country to educate unces and midwives, on
whose care and services the lives of women in child-birth
often depend. Not the least valuable petion of the report
is that relating to the meteorological phenomena during the
period embraced by the returns of mortality. The observe-
tions are made at the Royal Observatory. and are deserving
of the highest credit for accuracy. The mean tem-
perature at Greenwich during the quarter was 44d. 2m.,
which is Id. 9m. below that of the corresponding
quarter of 1845, and Id. 3m. below the average of the
quarter for 2i years, but Id. Bm. above the tempeiature of
the lest quarter of 1844. The in-an dew point was 41d.
The rain was 8.16 inches. The horicestal movement of the
wind, which wee at the rate of 7.51 miles a week in summer,
increased to 1,003 miles a week. At tie. close of November
the wind, which had been S. and 8.8. W., went round to
the N.N.W., and the mean temperature from 46d. fell below
the freezing point. The mean temperature of the week
ending December 3 was 32d., the highest was 38d., the
lowest 25d., the highest in the sun 574., the lowest oa the
grass 10d. The next week the mean temperature rose a
little, but fell in the week following to 30d.: the
lowest temperature was 20d., on the grms9d., in the Thames
31d. It is desirable to bear in mind that, although the mor-
tality runs so high, the drily births h lee exc,eded the deaths
by 1,056. The population of the United Kingdom in 1846
was about 28,487,000 • the probable permanent Increase was
about 800 daily; for, although the birt'is exceed the deaths
by 1,056 the surplus of 236 is the average number who leave
the kingdom.
ALLEOID DEATH PROM STAILVATION.—By Mr. Payne, at
the Britannia, Golden-lane, Cripplegate, adjourned from
Saturday last, on the body of Henry Iluegin., a child about
six week old.—Thomas Lloyd, surgeon, stated he had at-
tended the mother of deceased on the 23rd of December,
(five days after deceased's birth) at the request of the re-
lieving officer of the Union. The mother expired on the
following day, and on Thursday last witness was applied to
for certificate to register the death ol the dead child, when
he praceeded to the house, and found deceased child in the
drawers, and its aunt said in answer to witness's questions,
that it had been placed there in order that the eat should
not eat it. The deceased had the appearance of having been
maned, hut on • post ',torten' examination, it ins Mal
that death was the result of scrofulous disease of the isisees•
Writ glands produced by natural calms. The jury recorded
a verdict of " Natural death."

COMMERCIAL 4 MARKETS.
MONEY MARKET & CITY INTELLIGENCE.

Half-past Two.—The retrograde movement in the
funds, which re-commenced on Saturday, has continued this
morning. Consols opened at 901 to I for money, and
90; to I for time, but subsequently declined to 90;
to j for both time and money, recovered to 90; buyers,
became sellers at the same, and are now 901 to 1 for money,
end 901 to j for time. It is not known yet whether or not
the hank broker has been following un his gales of Reduced
Three-per-Cents. today. That stock is now quoted 901
to I. Exchegner Bills 61. to 9s. premium.
The arrival of the Dee, West India and Mexican steamer,
telegraphed from Southampton this morning, does not seem
likely to improve the prospects of the Mexican bond-
holders. It is stated in the short ai counts received
by express, that she brings 243,000 dollars, all for
merchants account, and, unless remittences have been made
in the shape of bills, nothing then, fore for the dividends.
This is no more than was to be expected. in the present cir-
cumstances—crisis of the fate—of Mexico, it is mani-
festly absurd to conceive that the Government
was, or could be, in a position to spare a single dollar
for the satisfaction of external obligations, however de-
sirous, when internal exigenci, s, from causes threat-
ening the very existence of the state, were so over-
Irving. There could therefore be no hope of remittances
for dividend account, unless the contractors of she loan con-
verdon in Mexico should be liberal enough to advance the
funds themselves. The bonds, however, rose on the news
that the Dee was telegraphed, to 22; to 31, but
no transactions paced, the dealers prudently waiting for the
advice, she might bring. The quotations have given way to
22; to f, now that the more important fact has transpired.
Portugnese improved to 35 to 6, on the intelligence that
the odious decima tax was not to be perstv,•red in. Spanish
Fir,* are 24; to I ; the Threes. 34; to 5; Dutch Two-and-a
Bali per Cents, 58 to I ; the Fours, 92 to I. But the deal-
ings in foreign stocks have been uncommonly light and few.
mutton Ft/ 51Da.
3 per CI Airstese 1145,15, 14 4 1 pro arse. 4704•15 M. ,1841 lii
N per Cr I,e/man Beads. Y. 5 °mewl& Tk net ,
4,tto, 1 peen. 1144. Sri i
5 pee h Hemsllll.44 1501.,93 7 a per tr Sc 41
Dice New. s4l 3. Portseee••• Con, red.., 3d
I per Cr Jiver. Aires .65.49 I 5 pee C 4 Pte.14,5 WWI. 13
Dino Ch.,. IS S Dltin Span.•ll IW. 141
IlitteCehtenb. Def. nes IM Cs. eraser.,llo., 34b $
Celser,be.. Peotartor Mc,: I npanid Ih r...,rd lida 154 17
I per C'. Perish Par .07 1 11,,upets reeler Bets... I
lb pre C Dutch . 144 r street Ireee•••l4 lerle 30 9
pee CI. art.. DPW15.911 1 V•••••ela Deferred Bda. 114 111