Mortality of Philadelphia for 1860 : report on meteorology and epidemics : read before the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, February 6, 1861 / by Wilson Jewell.

  • Jewell, Wilson, 1800-1867.
Date:
[1861]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mortality of Philadelphia for 1860 : report on meteorology and epidemics : read before the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, February 6, 1861 / by Wilson Jewell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    time, ns the tables already published by the college embrace B statistical decade from 1850 to 1850, and is well adapted for calculations as to the vital statistics of our city. No apology need be offered for making this alteration. As a member of the committee on a uniform plan of registration reports of births, mar- riages, and deaths, appointed by the American Medical Association, and whose report was adopted by the Association at its meeting in Louisville, Ky., May, 1850, and subscribing cordially to the suggestions therein made, I could do no less, when an opportunity offered, than to follow out the recom- mendation of the committee for the forms of tables—both as to the classi- fication and nomenclature of the causes of death—which, with hut lew- alterations, are the same as were adopted by the Association in 1847. This favourable opportunity has occurred, and I have embraced it, in framing this report. Another feature herein embodied, and one that modi- fies the report in several respects, is the reference to the statistics of OUT total population, as well as of the population of the several wards. This modification has been effected through the operation of the eighth U. S. Census, which was taken during the month of dune, 18G0. From the figures, as given by the marshal of this district, I find that he makes our population 568,034, an increase over the population for the census of 1850 of 159,272, or 39 per cent. Should this statement be cor- rect, it gives us an average growth of about. :; per cent, per annum, lint the question arises, have authentic returns been received? When we take into consideration, the usual growth of large cities—which will exceed 5 per cent.—the length of time occupied in obtaining the returns—a month— the season of the year—June—when a large portion of our population had left the city for the summer, and the number of houses shut up, when- no answers could be obtained, the natural inference will be, that justice has not been done to the vital statistics of Philadelphia. 'Phis opinion is by no means peculiar to myself. There are others who have investigated the subject, and arc satisfied that the total of population as given in the mar- shal's returns, is below the actual number, and at variance with facts. Hut such is the census return, and it goes abroad as correct. During the presenl decade, therefore, we shall lose the advantage we would otherwise gain from a true record of the number of our inhabitants; unless Councils should determine to have a census taken, in order to place the city, in point of population, where she rightfully belongs, as has been properly suggested by the mayor in his last message to that body. The introduction of the tables of births and marriages, for the last six- months of 18G0—if not of any practical application at the presenl time, seems to be proper, in order to preserve an entire uniformity with our new system of registration, and thus establish a plan after which our vital sta- tistics and our sanitary inquiries may be framed in the future. From the annual report of the Board of Health I learn that, thus far the law for the registration of births, marriages, and deaths which this col- lege, in connection with the Philadelphia County Medical Bociety, was instrumental in having enacted, is popular, and its presenl success not only affords an evidence of the appreciation in which it is held by the most of those interested, but gives encouragement for its future progress and permanency. The registration of the names of all persons who are required to make returns under this law, has been, with a few exceptions, both cheerfully and faithfully complied with by the parties themselves The am register has been alphabetically arranged under three distinct heads and