FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT.
September 28th, 1852.
Gentlemen,
I beg leave to lay before your Hon. Court the several tables[74] which I have prepared, to illustrate the mortality of the City of London during the past year. They refer to fifty-two weeks, dating from September 28th, 1851, to September 25th, 1852.
[74] These tables are not here reprinted in a separate form, except the enumeration of deaths for the year, which is [No. VI.] in the [Appendix]. The others are embodied in the different quinquennial tables of the Appendix.
In the [first table] I have distributed the 3064 deaths of the period, according to their localities and seasons; showing them as they occurred, male and female, during each quarter of the year, in the several districts and sub-districts of the City. For the foot of each column, I have calculated the year’s death’s rate, per thousand of the living, in the district or sub-district referred to; and at the head of the columns, for facility of reference, I have introduced an analysis of the population, founded on the Registrar-General’s recent census.
In the second table all the deaths of the last four years are stated, in a form which will enable you to compare one year with another, and one sub-district with another, in respect of their several contributions to the total mortality of the period.
In the third table 12,540 deaths[75] of the last four years are classified according to the ages at which they befell. This table is arranged in a manner to display its results, first for each year separately, and next for each Union separately; in order that you may observe what local or annual differences have obtained as to the ages of chief mortality.
[75] In the remaining number (17) the particulars of age and residence could not be correctly ascertained.
The fourth table also relates to the last four years. It restricts itself to those various forms of acute disease—epidemic, endemic, and infectious, which occasion, most of all, the predominant mortality of particular districts or seasons; and which are susceptible, in the highest degree, of being mitigated or removed under an efficient sanitary system.
In their general import these documents agree very nearly with last year’s record; though showing unfortunately a somewhat higher death-rate (23·62) and especially a larger proportion of fever.
On former occasions I have examined, with great minuteness, all such facts as these tables set forth, and have offered you the best suggestions in my power for the mitigation of preventable disease.
The sanitary condition of the City is now substantially the same as at the date of my last Report; and any comment which I might make on the present tables could be little else than a repetition of arguments already submitted to your notice.
Therefore, as other topics[76] of importance to the health of the City press for more immediate consideration, I refrain from occupying your time by any further remark on the materials which I subjoin.
[76] We were at this time closely occupied in considering the general questions of extramural interment for the City.—J. S., 1854.
I have the honour,
&c., &c.