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10
Epidemic Diseases.—The fatality from Measles and
Scarlatina is high, especially that from the former, which
is exceeded by only one year in the above series. Whooping
Cough might almost be called a severe epidemic, so
high has its mortality mounted during the past year. It
has been approached by no other year in the series. The same,
unfortunately, can be said of the fatality from Diarrhoea.
It contributes the largest share to the Zymotic mortality
of the year. But in point of importance we must concede
the first place in the present year to the re-appearance
amongst us of a Small Pox epidemic. The number
which represents on our tables the mortality from this
disease seems quite a modest figure; but it must be
remembered that it is no criterion of the number of cases
which occurred, or even of those of them that proved fatal.
This of course is due to the fact as the cases appeared they
were-as many and as soon as possible-sent to the hospital.
In fact, the mortality which did occur in the District,
is evidence that the hospital accommodation for the
epidemic was miserably deficient. This is corroborated by
the local summary for Clapham—where the largest number
of fatal cases occurred—in which a strong complaint is
made regarding the lack of hospital accommodation. When
this epidemic first made its appearance, though its approach
was expected, and its severity anticipated, no preparations
were made in an energetic manner, or on an adequate scale.
No one would assume the responsibility of the situation,
or accept the onus of providing the means of isolation. It
was made painfully evident that both our powers and our
zeal were sadly restricted in dealing with the malady.
But we have reason to complain that this scourge is still
so strong in our land, and to lay a very heavy load of
guilt at the doors of those who, in spite of overwhelming
evidence, evade or resist the Yaccination Act, and lead other
ignorant and misguided persons to follow their evil example.
To such persons we can give a reason but not an intellect,
and against such invoke the only instrument fitted to overcome
unreasoning obstinacy—the law of the land. By the
evasion of the Vaccination Act, as well as the too limited