The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-09 00:00:00

DEAL'S OF LONDON DURING THE

PAST YEAR.

(From the Lancet.)
At a meeting of the Medical Society of London
on the 28th of March a paper of much interest was
read by Dr. Webster. According to various statis-
tical data contained in the author's communication,
it appears that London manifested very marked
salubrity during the past year. Indeed this
favourable condition of the metropolitan popula-
tion was very different from some previous seasons,
and on this and other grounds is worthy the at-
tention of the profession and the puklic. Whilst
during the last year few epidemiermaladies
vailed with any unusual severity, many diseases
appear to have been less fatal than ordinary ;
whereby the total mortality ranged one-twelfth, or
4,720 fatal cases, under that reported in 1855,
notwithstanding that year was also considered
salubrious. These fact, with other concurrent
circumstances, all tend to prove that London now
seems by far the most healthy capital' of any coun-
try, in spite of its enormous population, and the
numerous powerful existing causes of disease which
still prevail.
Several satisfactory features characterising the
London population were manifested during last
year, which merit, more than a passing .notice :
for instance, fewer persons are stated to have
died from intemperance than in 1855 ; whilst
the victim of starvation were also less in number
than during any of the previous three years.
Nevertheless, to learn that actually twenty-eight
human beings lost their lives in the English metro-
polis, in 1856, through sheer want of food is appal-
ling ; more especially as some of the above unfor-
tunate persons were strangers, and even foreigners,
without friends or a home to shelter them in
misfortune. Numbers likewise died by accidents
of various kinds ; and it is remarkable that
Lethal casualties of every description usually ex-
hibit a rather striking uniformity amongst the
metropolitan population, one year with an-
other. This result seems proved when it is found
that in 1856 the aggregate deaths through vio-
lence were 1,631 ; whilst those from similar causes
amounted to 1,803 during the previous year.
The above coincidences are truly curious, when it
is considered how many different collateral yet
influential circumstances may appear amongst the
busy hive of people congregated together within
the great metropolis, and how numerous, varied,
aed often dangerous are their occupations. These
facts merit the serious notice of statesmen and
philanthropists, with a view to insure an efficient
remedy, to diminish, wherever possible, such
lamentable sacrifice of human life—a sacrifice which
always falls with augmented severity upon the
labouring and industrious portion of the community.
Although an improved state of health, as a
whole, prevailed throughout the metropolis during
all last year, the mortality varied in particular dis-
tricts—the western and northern portions having
supplied a lower ratio of deaths compared with
the eastern ; while WeAtminster, formerly con-
sidered less salubrious than the more elevated
parts of western London, showed a decided de-
crease of mortality, which satisfactory result has
been ascribed, and justly, to measures of sanitary
reform recently effected. Contradistinguished to
this beneficial change, both Kensington and Isling-
ton, heretofore esteemed desirable and healthy
neighbourhoods for residence, showed a marked
increase in the number of deaths. The reported
discrepancy in reference to the fatality arising
from typhus was likewise very evident in par-
ticular localities, being highest iu the eastern,
where one person died by that disease in nearly
every 612 inhabitants ; while, in the west districts,
the rate of mortality was only one death by
typhus in 1,124 residents, or half the former
ate omit, Another interesting, as also peculiar fea-
ture characterising the satisfactory state of public
health recently ebserved, is the small number of
fatal cases by all causes recorded amongst the gar-
rison of London—comprising the three regiments of
guards. From that large body of infantry, only 44
deaths were registered during the entire year.
Contrasted with the innumerable casulties which
occurred to the same battallions, when serving in
the Crimean campaign, their recent healthy con-
dition is most striking, and indicate unmistakably
how very different home-quarters and peace prove
to trenches and active warfare.

While fewer deaths than usual took place amongst
the enormous mass of human beings now con-
gt eg,ate I together in modern London, it is also
curious that more births were registered, as com-
pared with any previous similar period, the total
number of children born during last year being
86,833, or exceeding by 30,C47 the whole
mortality recorded. Irrespective of the annual
nunigration constantly in operation,ana whichadd
materially to the aggregate metropolitan population,
it becomes thus easy to explain the great increasa
in London, and its uniform advancement during
recent times. Should events proceed in the same
manner as heretofore, in a very short period of
time England's already overgrown Bayblon will
contain upwards of three millions of inhabitants, cr
more residents will be actually assembled within
its extensive limits than in some of the European
kingdoms, having also crowded cities, at present
poiisesq.

Such were some of the silient points discussed
by Dr. Webster in his valuable communication.
Many of the facts narrated and questions investi-
gated certainly indicate that the. year lately
terminated pourtrayed several favourable as-
peet. But again, it may well be asked,
what were the chief causes producing these
satisfactory consequences ? Inquiries of this
kind, it must be admitted, are exceedingly difficult
of satisfactory answer. Indubitably, many will ac-
knowledge, that the great attention 14tely paid to
hygienic science exerted considerable influence.
The more plentiful supply of pure water has
also had its effect. So has tas greater attention
to cleanliness, both personal and domestic, which
has of late obtained. The discussions which
have of recent years taken place regarding
adulterations, and the advantage of having good
' and nutritious food, have also been beneficial.
Improved drainage, the removal of filthy accumu-
lations adjacent to dwellings, with greater attention
to ventilation than formerly prevailed, and various
others adjuvants of man's physical frame, have all
contributed, more or less, towards improving
public health. _

Amongst the chief promoters of sanitary science,
and even the most ardent labourers towards advan•
ciug its practical application, medical practitioners
have always stood prominently forward. This
conduct on their part appears the more meritori-
ous, seeing that by promoting proceedings which
improve public health, disease is often much
diminished, and thereby professional emolument
becomes affected and materially curtailed. But
worldly considerations like these are never
placed in the balance, or weighed in a selfish
sense ; the true physician's great mission being,
not only to cure maladies when afflicting
his fellow mortals, by every means available, but
likewise to dedicate his mental energies towards ac-
complishing their prevention ; in fact, to work as
the pioneer of conservative medicine.
Several important questions besides those we have
noticed were mooted in Dr. Webster's paper, and-
upon which it was proposed briefly to animadvert.
However, respecting the points thus postponed,
especially the comparative salubrity of London and
Paris, as also the ages, or scale of longevity, which
characterise these capitals, we must defer our com-
ments to another occasion.

THE MURDERS AT LIVERPOOL.—The coroner's jury
have brought in a verdict of wilful murder" in each
case against John Gibbons, who has been committed to
trial at the next assizes.
The Royal Mail steamer Teviot, which sails for Brazil
to-day, will take out 86,6701. in gold. These shipments,
it is understood, are not a consequence of the state of
the exchange, but of draughts by the Bank of Rio on
their agents here to meet a local drain caused by mis.
management of their note issues.
SCHOOLING FOR COSMOPOLITES.—The Manchester
School has been converted into the School of Adversity.
It is to be hoped that this change will conduoe to the
improvement of the scholars, who in consequence of it
will get grounded in a thoroughly English Education.
—Punch.

PERFECT ON BOTH SIDES..---" What is on the other
side of the Victoria medal ?" was asking a young Lion
at the French Embassy. "I cannot exactly tell," an•
swered Persigny, " but it's my impression that the re-
verse of Victoria Cross must be Victoria herself."—
Punch.
A FRENCHMAN'S TOPOGRAPHY.—The London corres-
pondent of the Moniteur, in reporting the nomination
for Middlesex, with the utmost simplicity and faith in
the accuracyof his statement, describes the metropolitan
county as " eft quelque sorte, un faubourg de Londres.e
QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENZ—By
the 1 and 2 Vict., c. 48—" An Act to amend the laws
relating to the qualification of members to serve in Par-
liament"—the qualification for a county member is to be
not less than 6001. a year, and for a borough member
not less than 300/, a year, 64 over and above all
incumbrances affecting the same." The provision ex-
tends to "personal estate" as well as to real pro-
perty. Every member is to deliver in at the table
of the house a statement of his qualification, and the
House of Commons is empowered to administer the
declarationim e o
" as occasion shall be from
to every person duly demanding the same,
time
a„d subscription
time,
immediately after such person shall have taken the oath
of fidelity, or other oath or oaths required to be taken at
the table of the said house, and the said declaration and
subscription siial be entered in a parchment roll to be
provided for that purpose by the clerk of the said house ;
and the said papers, so signed and delivered in to the
said clerk, shall be filed and kept by him." The act
does not extend to the members of the universities, nor
to the eldest sons of peers.