The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-29 00:00:00

LONION

HEALTHOF LONDON DURING THE WEER.

(From the Registrar-General's Report.)
In the week ending last Saturday 1,061 deaths were
registered in the districts of the metropolis. In the two
previous weeks the numbers were successively 1,111 and
1,096; the last returns therefore show a continuous
decline, though not to any considerable extent.
In the ten corresponding weeks of 1842-51 the average
number of deaths was 1,089, which, if a certain amount
be added for increase of population, becomes 1,198. On
this corrected average the mortality of last week shows a
decrease of 137.

The present return compared with that of the pre-
ceding week exhibits an increase in the mortality from
zymotic or epidemic diseases taken collectively, and a
continued decline of fatal cases arising from affections of
the respiratory organs. As regards epidemics, it
appears that typhus (with continued fever, &c.),
small-pox and scarlatina produce at the present time
about the same amount of mortality, the first num-
bering 41 deaths, the second 39, and the third 37.
Small-pox shows a disposition to increase, and the
number of fatal cases actually recorded in the re-
gister books last week, which are about double the ave-
rage, concurs with the personal observations of the
Registrars to prove that the disease is widely diffused
amongst the London population. looping-cough car-
ried off 49 children, but measles has fallen remarkably
low, the number of deaths now attributed to it being
only 5, while in corresponding weeks it ranged from 11
to 43, and the corrected average is 29. Besides the
above, there are 5 from croup, 6 from thrush, 3 from
influenza, 1 from purpura, 3 from remittent and infantile
fever, 1 from rheumatic fever, 6 from erysipelas, 1 from
syphilis, 4 from puerperal fever (besides 2 other cases of
death after childbirth). Last week 18 persons, of whom
13 were children, died of diarrbcoa; and in Hoxton Old
Town, at 3, Whitmore-street, the daughter of a crape-
dresser died on the 29th January, at the age of 11 years,
of "cholera, after an illness of 7 days."
It was stated above that the mortality from diseases
of the respiratory organs in the aggregate has declined;
but it deserves notice that this result is observable
chiefly in pneumonia, and that out of the 198 deaths
enumerated under this class, 102 are caused by bron-
chitis, and only 59 by pneumonia (or inflammation of the
lungs), a number exceedingly low compared with those
of corresponding weeks.
The following cases were registered in the Small-pox
Hospital:—
On the 11th January a porter from Wardour-street,
Soho, aged 19 years, died " small-pox, confluent, un-
protected (20 days)."
On the 21st January, an upholsterer, aged 25 years,
" small-pox, confluent, unmodified (18days)." He was
vaccinated in infancy at Strasburg—one very imperfect
cicatrix.

In Islington, East sub-district, at 3, Greenman's-lane,
on the 20th January, the daughter of a labourer, aged
one year, died of " small-pox (4 days from the appear-
ance of eruption), not vaccinated." Three children in
the same family, who have been vaccinated, are recover-
ing from small-pox. Mr. Butterfield adds, that small-
pox increases in his district. In the sub-district of St.
Botolph, at 35, Sun-street, on the 21st January, the wife
of a cattle dealer, aged 32 years, died of " small-Pox
and bronchitis, two days after labour." She was a fo-
reigner, and had been vaccinated abroad about 18
months ago ; another female, also a foreigner,
died in the 'same room of the same disease, and a
short time after labour. At Rose-alley, Bishopsgate, a
child, aged 8 months, died of " small-pox (15 days).
Mr. Spencer states that " vaccination had been neglected
i❑ this case from ignorance; in this alley, which is
crowded and close, several children are ill." Princes-
street, Aldgate, where a child died of confluent small-
pox, is described by the same registrar as " an unhealthy
place and much crowded." At 4, Hammond•place,
Lambeth, on the 21st January, the daughter of a brick-
layer, aged 3 years, died of " variola, confluent (14
days), pneumonia (2 days)." Mr. Mears was informed
by the mother that the child had small-pox when two
years old, and was marked with it, and this was a second
attack of natural small-pox. Two other deaths of chil-
dren occurred in the same sub-district (Waterloo•road,
first part), in one case vaccination having been performed
after the infection was caught, and in the other per-
formed twice or thrice ineffectually and without leaving
marks.
Mr. Davis, the registrar of Lambeth, Waterloo
sub-district, second part, has addressed the following
letter to the Registrar-General:—
" In Lambeth-square the mortality has "of late been
excessive. I have registered since the 21st of May last
24 deaths, one of which was that of an adult, and all the
rest occurred under 9 years, viz., 5 from small-pox, 10
from scarlatina, 2 from typhus, 4 from hydrocephalus, 1
from fever, 1 from convulsions, and 1 from hooping-
cough and measles.
" The landlady being anxious to ascertain the cause
has solicited the Board of Health to inquire into the
facts, and one of their officers this week visited the
houses. He informs me that he found several cesspools
in a state very injurious to health, but it does not ap-
pear just at present that there was much illness
amongst the inhabitants. The square numbers 35
houses, which, I believe, with three or four exceptions,
contain 8 rooms each, holding a population-of about 434
persons.
" Previous to May last, the deaths were far from ex-
cessive, as between August, 1849, and that month, I re-
gistered only 13, including 3 from cholera.
" I may observe, that the square is always kept very
clean, a beadle being appointed for that purpose, who
excludes all horses and carriages; it is therefore found
by the inhabitants to be a very safe and convenient
place for their children, who, when the weather is fine,
assemble in great numbers to play together, and this
circumstance, perhaps, in the presence of agencies un-
favourable to health, may help to explain why small-pox
and scarlatina have spread so widely amongst them.
" I have been looking over the progress of mortality
in other streets of my district in proportion to their
population, and find that in many of them, taking the
whole time from August, 1849 (when I first began to
make memoranda), to the present date, and excluding
cholera, the mortality stands as high as that for Lam•
beth• square.

6' The officer of the Board requests me to give notice
to him of any further cases of fever which may occur."
In the sub-district of Lambeth Church, first part, at 3,
Harper's•court, High-street, two daughters of a la-
bourer, aged 2 years and 9 months respectively, died
on the 15th and 21st of January, of scarlatina maligns,
after an illness of nine days. Mr. Greathead states
that " the deaths of these children were not registered
till the 23d of January, and both of the bodies were
then lying unburied in the same house."
In the sub-district of South St. Giles-in-the•fields, at
9, Great Wild-street, the daughter of a porter, aged one
day, born prematurely, died of debility. Mr. Faulkner
remarks, "This is one of the many cases of great dis-
tress I meet with in my district; the mother was con-
fined pr( maturely, I believe, in consequence of fever;
the husband lies ill with fever in the hospital; the
mother continues very ill, as well as another child, and
has sold much of her necessary clothing to procure fire
and provisions." _ _ _

It was shown in previous weeks that deaths from car-
buncle had been lately more numerous than usual; last
week the following case was registered:—On the 22d
January, at 47, Gibson-street, Lambeth, a dealer in
skins, aged 60 years, died of " carbuncle (4 weeks),
irritative fever (3 weeks)." There have, therefore, been
altogether 6 deaths from this complaint within the last
three weeks. One man and two women were the victims
of intemperate habits. Eleven children died of inanition
and want of breast milk; one person died from cold.

STATE OF THE WEATHER DURING THE PAST WEEK.

SUNDAY.-The sky was for the most part clear throughout
the day.
MONDAY.-The sky was generally clear until Bh. r.at.,
and overcast afterwards.

TIIISDAT.—The sky was overcast throughout the day.
Frequent showers of rain.
‘N EDNISDAY.—The sky, with slight exceptions, was
covered with cloud throughout the day. Frequent squalls
of wind and rain during the evening.
THURSDAY.—The sky was clear till near noon ; three-
fourths were covered uutil 6h. P.:kr., and clear afterwards.
FRIDAY.—The sky was generally clear throughout the day.
SATURDAY.—The sky was overcast throughout the day.
Heavy showers of rain fell.
ELECTRICITY.—No electricity has been shown during the
week.

The mean reading of a thermometer placed on the main-
mast, and read each day at 9h. A.m. was 41.3° ; and the mean
reading at 9h. P.M. was 42.7°; the mean readings at the
Royal Observatory for the same times were 40.44 and 42.2 Q
respectively.
The reading of the barometer increased from 30.10 in.
at the beginning of the week to 30.24 in. by 10h. AM. on
the 18th ; decreased to 29.18 in. by 9h. P.M. on the 22d ;
increased to 29.72 in. by 9h. A.M. on the 24th ; and de-
creased to 29.47 in. by the end of the week.

SEABORNE MAILS.
[N signifies that the mails are sent frora tho General Post-office
by the nignt—and M by the morning—dispatch.)

When made up in From what
PLACES. General Post-office port dis- When
London: patched. due.
America (by Brit. pkt.)N Jan. 30 .. .. !Liverpool .. Feb. 1
America (by U.S. pkt.) N Feb. 10 .. • • 'Liverpool Feb. 4
America (by U.S. pkt.) M'March 3 .. .. I Sonthampt. Arrived
Africa (West coast)•. N 14th of the month ;Plyraoßth Feb. 3
Alexandria* ........ N 19th & 30th of mo.iDover .. Feb. 18
Belgium . • • • •• N Daily • • • • ..iDover .. Daily
Brazil .. . • .. M 9th of the month Southampt. Feb. 16
Buenos Ayres .. M 9th of the month Southampt. Fob. l 6
California.(viaChagres)M 2d & 17th of month; Southampt. Fee. 5
Cape of Good Hope N 14th of month !Plymouth— Feb. 3
N 7th 17th 27th of mo !Dover .. Jan. 30
ConstantinopleTllusacvanaßnyia.B,....Nass:: .• • •
Central America .. M2d & 17th of mon. !Southampt. Feb. 5
Channel Isles • • .. N Mon., Wed., &Frl.lSontbampt. Tu. Th. Sat
Chill •• •• •• . M 17th of the month !Soutbampt. Feb, 20
France • .. M&N Twice daily ..(Dover .. Twicedally
Greece* ••• • • .. 1717th 17th 27th of mo !Dover .. Jan. 30
llamburgh .. .. N'Tuesday & Friday (London .. Tiles. Sat.
1 I.llimoeldlinedri
win ..(via.• M Wednes. & Satur.lLondon .. Men. Thur
Honduras .. . N 17th of the monthlSouthamPt. F 20
Ireland .. .... M& N Twice daily .. .. Holyhead .. Feb.wicedaily
India (via Sonthamp.) M'2oth of the month,Southzunpt. Feb, 23
India (via Marseilles) Ni Bth& 24th efinonthDover • • Feb. 1
Ifediterranean (via
B°Mharimton) .. M 20th of the month Soathampt. Feb.:23
Papal States* 1
Mexico
• M 2d of tho month..lSonthampt. 'Feb. 5
Madeira • • ' • • '
...• .. N Bth& 24th ofmonth Dover .. Feb. 1
•• •• Mi9th of the month iSouthampt. 'Feb. 16
Malta*
.. ....
zisTi
55ththil55t,thh
—.• I 7th,l7th,l9th,Z7th j Dover Jan. 30
Naples* I, &30th of month
l')Doovyeerr ...•
}F,eebb.. 22
Peninsular„Peru .•' • • • M 7th 17th 27th of mo South ampt. Jan. 26
West Indies 22-55tthh o°f•fmmo°
West Indies . • sth 15th 25th of mo Dover • • Feb. 2
Ms:
21d7tohfutthethme
omuothnt.h. risionuththaniampptt..
iiFFeebb..
520
20
pt
(eiee• • M 17th of the month Southampt.Feb.
Nassau)
. The mails
French packet vial Marse'les.
un es thus marked (*) are conveyed by
The direct Havre mail from
month will be made up three t. during this
London via Southampton c
..
CALIFORNIA.—MaiIs to and fuiles a w.-;ek only, instead of lailY•
are now despatched and due b hoz Caihornia, via the United States
Y every American pack**
-------

BONCHURCH, ISLB of Wrouir.—Slcl. Europe, Sydney;
Glaphyra, St. Kitts; Flora ship, Ealing Grove barque,
aeveral others.
Dale Park barque, James barque, Campbell barque, and