Page:On an annual census.djvu/6

4 {|
 * Total Population in 1888
 * &emsp;&bdquo;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&bdquo;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&ensp;1889
 * Total incomers and outgoers in 1889
 * Dependents
 * Total incomers and outgoers in 1889
 * Dependents
 * Dependents
 * Dependents

Sick

Deaths

Paupers
 * }

The proportion of deaths of children under one, or more completely under five years, to the total deaths, we deem the best index to the sanitary condition of a place, as children are mostly on the spot, are most affected by the local sanitary conditions, and the least affected by occupations, by migration, or emigration. On looking over the Returns for this healthy place, Hastings, and comparing the death-rate of children under five years of age of the higher classes and the visitors, with those of the wage-classes, we see that the deaths of children of the well-to-do are 3.41 to total deaths, whilst the death-rate of children under five years of the wage-classes is as much as 38.72 of the total deaths, and of the children of the fishermen about the same. This denotes how much is yet to be done by sanitation for the wage-classes; moreover, when these children survive the juvenile period, they lose upwards of nine years as compared with the better sanitary conditioned classes. The causes of death are displayed in the further stages.

Let Hastings be subjected to a clinical examination, such as was adopted by Brighton, with much benefit, though as yet but half-used. It would cost less than half the expense of a local Act, which is commonly without science, presenting examples of the wastefulness of ignorance, unreduced death-rates, such as heavily burden the country. I believe that upon a close examination of the schools at Hastings, the means of ventilation and washing, a systematised inspection of workshops, as was provided in our Regulations for the Officers of Health, and the aid of the sanitary inspectors, a further reduction of the death-rate from fourteen to eight in a thousand may be confidently anticipated, and a great pecuniary gain effected. The