View report page

41
Medical Officers of Health Annual Report.
Measles.
The deaths from this cause were 16; less than
half the number in 1896, and a number
actually smaller than in any year since 1889. The mortality,
however, makes a considerable item in the total for
all the zymotics. That alone should cause its inclusion
in the list of diseases, the spread of which we seriously
attempt to prevent. The necessary first step would be to
make it notifiable.
Whooping
Cough.
The deaths were only six; a smaller figure than
in any year of the past decade. The usual
association of Measles and Whooping Cough is shown
in this.
Diarrhoea.
The deaths were 47, which was an unusually
large number and exceeded any year of the
decade. The nearest approach to it was 1895, when the
deaths numbered 41. The increase was, no doubt, due to
the hot weather in the summer.
Influenza.
There were only 9 deaths referred to this
cause; less than in any year since 1890. It
is to be hoped, but perhaps hardly to be expected, that
this decrease will be permanent.