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11
previous year, except as regards the South Ward, where only
48 deaths from zymotic disease are recorded, as against 104
in 1862; but in the Centre Ward we find that 134 deaths
are shown to have taken place, as against 112 in the previous
twelve months.
The particular character of the diseases from which death
occurred is seen in Table VI. Here we find several special
deviations. Fever decreased by 29 cases; Measles by no
fewer than 98; while Small Pox rose from 8 cases to 46,
and Scarlatina from 70 to 154. The prevalence of Small
Pox in the whole metropolis last year was a cause of great
anxiety. It in some degree caused the confidence in the
protecting power of vaccination to totter for a brief space of
time. The sensible abatement of the disease appears, however,
to have restored the confidence before placed in this
invaluable preventive agent. The greater care which has
been exercised in its performance, and the activity used in
securing its almost universal application, have been followed
by the most satisfactory results. Whooping Cough decreased,
and Diarrhoea slightly increased. Five cases of Cholera
were recorded, possibly of that kind recognised as an aggravated
form of Diarrhœa; most of them were certified
"Cholera Infantum." Deaths from Natural Decay were
fewer by 38 cases, and diseases of the brain and heart were
slightly in excess of the previous return. But on the whole,
the mortality, as I have already stated, was less in the past
statistical period than in that which immediately preceded it.