The Sun. — 1858-10-06 (London, England)

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.  (Front the Registrar-General's Return.) The deaths in London, which had fallen considerably below a thousand in the previous week, rose in the week ending last Saturday, Oct. 2, to 1021. In the ten years 1848-57 the average number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with last week was 1281; and as the number now returned occurred in an increased population, and the average, if raised in proportion to that increase, becomes 1412, a rate of mortality diminished to the extent shown by a comparison of these numbers will appear an eminently favourable result. If, however, the excess of deaths that arose in epidemic seasons is withdrawn from the above average, the comparison will still give a reduction of 240, to show that the present time is unusually healthy. Sixty-three districts of England in which the mortality is least have been - selected, and their average rate of mortality in the last three months been 7 of the year has been ascertained. If the deaths in London la%t week had been according to the numberhav of f " healthy rate" thus obtained, and which it is usefu7lo to and adopt the as actual standard, excess, o they thlevouhl natural deaths, is 251. It is to be regretted that scarlatina shows a constant, though not a rapid increase. During four weeks that have elapsed since the weekly deaths from it rose above 100, the numbers week)ersha 134. O ve bee n consecutively these 115, 118, 125, and 134 there occurred 11 under one year of age, 18 at one year, 19 at two years, the same number at three. 21 at four, 37 at five, 5 at ten and under fifteen, 4 at twenty years and upwards. To take a few of the sub-districts where scarlatina appears to be most prevalent, there were 8 deaths from it in Islington West, 7 in Limehouse, 6 in Bow, and 5 in St. Peter, Walworth.  Of 40 deaths registered last week, and placed in the tables to violence, 30 were accidental, 4 were by suicide, and no fewer than 6 by murder or manslaughter. Of these last 5 were the deaths of infants. Of nonagenarians in the present returns 3 were men, and of these the oldest had attained the age of 97 years. Last week the births of 861 boys and 865 girls, in all 1,726 children were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1848-57 the average number was 1,571.  At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.942 in. On the first three days the mean daily reading was above 30 in. The highest reading was 30.36 in., and the lowest 29.47 in. The mean temperature of the week was 57.6 deg., which is 3.6 deg. above the average of the same week in 43 years. The highest point attained by the thermometer in the shade .was 71.8 deg. on Wednesday; the lowest point was 40.1 deg. on Friday. The entire range of the week was 31.7 deg. The mean daily range was 16.3 deg. The range of temperature on Monday and Tuesday was remarkably small—namely, 9.9 wtdmeag, tee. rwon oa fst thle. e4fTodihengaim.e re sdTalhyve,a andsi e 60.4 a 6n. idtedegem.gp. Teorinai et uthermee latter.aonf thed eOn Friday it was 25.3 deg. The difference between the mean dew-point temperature and air temperacitteYv a:yal isit eBY: on wind Wednesday from the except Wednesday. No Tig• arhue south-westlfooedfl al h, yu me morning,x night and amounting to 0.06 in.