The Sun. — 1869-01-06 (London, England)

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.  It appeuis rrom the return issued by authority or tae Registrar-General, that in the week that ended on Saturday, 2nd January, 5,076 births and 3,429 deaths were registered in London and in thirteen other large towns of the United Kingdom. The annual rate of mortality was 28 per 1,000 persons living. The annual rate of mortality last week was 27 per 1,000 in London, 30 in Edinburgh, and 25 in Dublin ; 24 in Birmingham, 25 in Bristol, 29 in Liverpool, 31 in Manchester, 28 in Salford, 23 in Sheffield, 27 in Bradford, 34 in Leeds, 21 in Hull, 32 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 34 in Glasgow. The rate in Vienna was 29 per 1,000 during the week ending the 26th ult:, and in Berlin 31 per 1,000 during the seven days ending the 31st ult. The measures which have been recently adopted in Sheffield for the purpose of securing more general vaccination do not appear to have yet favourably influenced the mortality from smallpox in that town. During last week no less than fifteen deaths in the borough were referred to this disease, of which twelve were reported to be unvaccinated cases. In London the births of 1,303 boys and 1,202 girls, in all 2,505 children, were registered in the week. In the corresponding weeks of ten years, 1858-67, the average number, corrected for increase of population, is 2,037. The deaths registered in London during the week were 1,629. The average number is, with a correction for increase of population, 1,660. The deaths in the present return are less by 31 than the estimated amount. The births and deaths are considerably in excess of the numbers recorded in the preceding week, which is probably due to an accumulation of cases not then registered on account of the Christmas holidays. The deaths from zymotic diseases were 328, the corrected average number being 367. Seven deaths from smallpox-, 35 from measles, 83 from scarlatina, 10 from diphtheria, 49 from whooping-cough, 56 from fever, and 9 from diarrhoea were registered. 188 deaths occurred from phthisis, 196 from bronchitis, and 98 from pneumonia. The corrected average number of deaths from phthisis is r 176, from bronchitis 224, and from pneumonia 108. Diseases of the brain and nervous system proved fatal to 216 persons, and_ 92 persons died from diseases of the organ 3 of circulation. The deaths of 3 persons from delirium tremens, of 3 persons from intemperance, of 4 infants and 4 adults from syphilis, of 10 children and 3 adults from burns or scalds, of 13 persons from drowning, of 10 infants and 5 adults from suffocation, of 6 persons who committed suicide, and of 3 persons who were killed by horses or carriages in the streets, were recorded. During the year 1868 the deaths of 203 persons who were killed by horses or vehicles in the streets were registered. Sixty-five children under the age of 10 years, 18 young persons from 10 to 15 years of age, and 120 persons, aged 20 years and upwards, lost their lives. Seven persons were killed by horses, 12 by omnibuses, 21 by cabs, 45 by vans or waggons, 7 by drays, 53 by carts, and 58 by vehicles not described. The ques' tion arises, should heavy waggons and such vehicles be driven at their present velocity, often by unskilful drivers, in the streets of London ? The returns indicate bow many human lives this work will cost in the ensuing year.  A