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47
The deaths from Cholera and Diarrhoea during the year
were remarkably few. From the weekly returns received
from the Medical Practitioners of the Sub-district during the
continuance of the epidemic (about 9 weeks) it appears that
nearly 250 cases of Diarrhoea and 3 of Cholera came under
treatment. Two of the cases of the last named disease
were described in the returns as "English Cholera," but
the third was indisputably of the most malignant character,
and proved fatal in a few hours after the development of
the more prominent symptoms which so well mark this
most distressing malady. The deaths registered as due to
the epidemic were 5 only, viz.: 4 from Diarrhoea, and the
one from Cholera just referred to.
The measures adopted, both medical and hygienic, to
meet the requirements of the Order in Council, were prompt,
and it is believed, judging from the slight mortality which
resulted from the epidemic, effective. The house to house
visitation, with the view to the removal of nuisances, and
the detection of cases in their incipient, and therefore more
curable stages, was energetically carried out, and the action
of the local authorities in affording the Medical Officer of
Health, the Surveyor, and the Inspector, every support
and assistance in the discharge of their respective duties
was satisfactory. Disinfectants were liberally furnished
in all cases needing their employment; nearly all the well
waters of the Sub-district were submitted to a qualitative
analysisand microscopic examination; the Local Committee
and the Board were kept duly informed of the progress of
the epidemic; and it is believed there was nothing left
untried that was in the remotest degree calculated to lessen
the virulence of the disease, and to restore those who suffered
from it to health. I have to thank the Local Committee
for the approval they have been pleased to express, and to
enter on their minutes, of my own individual endeavours
to meet the exigencies of the occasion.
Sickness and Mortality amongst the Union Poor.—It
will be seen by consulting Table V. Appendix, that the
deaths (18) during the past year amongst the union poor,
have been few in number compared with the number of
cases treated (418.)