View report page

40
Zymotic or Epidemic Diseases.—The mortality from
these, the so-called preventible diseases, during the year
was 206, as contrasted with 196 during 1875. The numbers
for either year are given in the following table for the
purpose of comparison. The increased population is more
than equal to the increased numbers.
1876.
1875.
Diarrhoea (and Cholera) 60 44
Whooping Cough 53 42
Scarlatina 34 55
Measles 20 9
Croup 11 13
Diseases of Childbirth 10 4
Small Pox 7 0
Fevers 6 16
Diphtheria 3 6
Erysipelas 2 7
Totals 206 196
Twenty-three per cent, (or precisely the same proportion
as last year) of the total number of deaths in the
sub-district were recorded by the Registrar as the result
of this class of disease.
Reviewing the diseases of this class as they occur in the
table, it will be seen that Diarrhœa heads the list, 60
deaths being ascribed to this cause against 44 in 1875.
The prolonged and excessive heat of the summer months
was the direct cause of this increase, without doubt.
Whooping Cough was again very prevalent, 53 deaths
against 42 in the preceding year. Scarlatina, one of the
most malignant and infectious of this class of diseases, was
the cause of death in 34 instances against 55. This disease
is peculiar in leaving a train of diseases behind it in those
who escape death, and its diminished frequency is,