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26
that the number in the autumn quarter was twice that in
the winter quarter.
Inasmuch as it is against Epidemic diseases—long
since declared to be preventible—that the projection of
sanitary measures are susceptible of greatest success, it
becomes a matter of the deepest moment to ensure the
employment of those means for the arrest of their propagation
which are at once the most simple, the most
effectual, and the most capable of the widest application.
Such means are most completely presented by "Isolation"
—the separation of the sick from the healthy. But as
yet isolation is carried out to a very limited extent. It is
of late years only that its application has been partially
directed to Fever and Small Pox, very slightly to Scarlatina,
and only when occurring in the adult, while no
attempt has been made to bring Measles within its operation;
yet, from an examination of the relative figures in
the Table as regards fatality, it is obvious that the last
named disease claims as much consideration at the hands
of the sanitarian as any other of the eruptive fevers,
unless it be unjustifiably held that the security of infantile
life is of less importance to Society and the State than that
of adult life. By sanitary proceedings of a general nature
these diseases are doubtless much lessened in amount and
mitigated in intensity; but if their periodic recurrence is
to be successfully grappled with and prevented, it is evident
that a more complete system of isolation must be
employed than the very partial and limited one now in
use. Such considerations forcibly indicate the want of
arrangements for the treatment of all diseases of the
epidemic class in the local hospitals.
Sickness and Mortality amongst the Parochial Poor.
—Table V., in the Appendix, exhibits, as usual, the amount,
nature, and fatality, of the sickness which prevailed
amongst the parochial poor during the year. The data
furnished by the figures in the Table will be found to be
in a marked manner confirmatory of the indications of