The Sun. — 1857-10-07 (London, England)

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE  WEEK.  (Prom the Report of the Registrar-General.) In the week that ended on Saturday, Oct. 3, the number of deaths registered in London was 1,087. In the 10 yews 1847-56 the average number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with last week was 1,136, which, if raised in proportion to increase of population, becomes 1,250. The deaths from diarrhoea last week were 79, being nearly the same as in the previous week, when they were 83. There were n• deaths from cholera among adults ; but two cases of infants who died of choleraic diarrhoea are referred to this head. A potman, aged 34 years, died in the HackneyWorkhothse on Sept. 28, of " natural decay, accelerated by want." On the 3d of July the wife of a serjeant committed suicide with cyanide of potassium; on the 15th of July a woman committed suicide with the same substance; and on the 29th of August the son of a serjeant, aged six years, was poisoned by it, the bottle which held it having been left within his reach. Cyanide of potassium is used by soldiers for cleaning their lace. Of six nonagenarians whose deaths are returned, the oldest are two men, aged respectively 94 and 95 years, and a woman who died in the workhouse, Newington, at the age (as stated) of 105 years.  Last ,week the births of 916 boys and 849 girls, in all 1,765 children, were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 184756 the average number was 1,141. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.868 in. The mean temperature was 58.4 deg., which is 4.6 deg. above the average. The mean daily temperature was morn or less above the average throughout the week. The wind was generally in the southwest. No rain fell except on Monday, when the amount was 0.17 in.  Fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty-nine persons died in the quarter that ended Sept. 26. The number exceeds by nearly 200 that of the  lame period in 1836. But if diarrhoea had not prevailed more in the past summer than it did in 1856, other conditions being unaffected, the present returns would have indicated a superior degree of health. In the last three summers the total deaths were (taking them in the order of time) 13,042, 14,066, 14,259; and the deaths from diarrhoea were 1258, 1610, 2343. The influence of a particular disease in raising the total mortality, which would otherwise be stationary or depresseJ, is palpable in these numbers ; and a like inct ease is traced in the deaths attributed to complaints of a kindred character, and to some sporadic diseases affecting the alimentary system. Dysentery was fatal in the threesumtners to 46, 73, and 84 persons ; cholera to 106, 131, and 177 parsons. To tabes mesenterica 262, 284, 333 deaths aro referred ; to disease of the liver 122, 143, 187 ; and under teeth ing, though the number decreased in 1856 from 141 to 122, it rose this summer to 163. The unusual heat experienced in the first months of the quarter, co-operating with agencies that are more under control, has perhaps been mainly efficacfoue in pro ducing these results ; but with the knowledge th tt cholera has been lately infesting parts little removed from our coast, it may be conjectured that the epidemic virus extended itself in a milder form beyond the immediate field of action, its advance is force being only a question of time and opportunity. The speculation may bo futile, but the fac.s must be admitted, and supply a more than sufficient motive for preparation.  The heat of the last quarter is its Wriliing meteorological feature, and will be described by stating that the mean temperature was 63.6 deg., which is 3.5 deg. above the average, and that there was an excess of the mean temperature above its average in 12 weeks out of the 13, and on 71 days out of the 91. The result is a reduction in the mortAlity of pulmonary diseases, particularly br,nichitis and pneumonia ; and it will be seen also that cephalitis, apoplexy, and paralysis were less fatal than usual.