Extracts from the topography and vital statistics of Calcutta : embracing observations on these subjects formed at different periods, and officially submitted to the local authorities / by F.P. Strong.

  • Strong, F. P. (Francis Pemble)
Date:
[1849?-1852]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Extracts from the topography and vital statistics of Calcutta : embracing observations on these subjects formed at different periods, and officially submitted to the local authorities / by F.P. Strong. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    records. If we are at all near the truth the result seems to agree with the opinions formed by Dr. Hawkins in his con- clusions and summing up upon the subject, just above referred to, and quoted. Tiie Portuguese, among whom so great a mortality is shewn, are a suffering race, greatly subject to the catalogue of complaints enumerated in these papers, while the English and Eurasians are far more prosperous in life, and enjoy comforts and happiness in a very high degree, as com- pared with the former section of society. The mortality of the former 3 J per cent, per annum, while that of the latter being 12^- per cent, is very great. In 1830 I ascertained, and published in the Gleanings of Science, the burials in Calcutta of Protes- tant Christians from the year 1820, to shew at that time that although the European population must have greatly increased yet that the deaths and burials had not increased; and now, that the same population is acknowledged to have increased very materially indeed, yet we see upon referring to the first column of one of the tables, giving the Protestant burials for the last 20 years, no increase of deaths. The years 1833-4, the two years following the sea inundations, shew the greatest mortali- ty of late years ; while among the native population those two years shew an extraordinary mortality. The two last years shew that in both European and Native population healthi- ness is restored. The mortality among the other columns of society, the Catholic, Greek, Armenians, Hindu-Armenians, and Native Christians, are for the last 20 years, and I believe them to be nearly correct. As the Chinese and the Jews keep no account of their burials, I of course could not include them, and they form a small portion of society in this city. The census is the one last taken by Captain Birch, and he took great pains to make it as correct as possible. You will ob- serve by one of the letters annexed that upon the receipt of your circular I addressed the magistrate of the 24-Pergun- nahs requesting a census of the zillah, together with the mortality, and you will see his obliging answer to the same : the census I send is only of the suburbs division, which forms only a part of the district. I have, &c. (Signed) E. P. STRONG, August 29, 1837. Surgeon to Zi-Pergnnnahs. “ I find that my letter is defective inasmuch as I have not noticed what has been done at different times in the suburbs of Calcutta when cholera has been scourging these parts and carrying off all its victims who could not obtain, or who de- clined medical aid.
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