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23
INFLUENZA.
The deaths attributed to this disease numbered 57, as against 15 in 1894 and 36
in 1893. The death-rate was 0.46 per thousand. Influenza prevailed in Shoreditch
from the middle of February to the end of March; the prevalence of the disease as in
previous epidemics, was associated with a high general death-rate, mainly attributable
to the large number of deaths which occurred at that time from disease of the
respiratory organs.
TUBERCULAR DISEASES.
The group of diseases due to the bacillus tuberculosis (Table XXVII, see
appendix) contributed 394 to the number of deaths in the parish. Of these phthisis
or consumption caused 268 as compared with 259 in 1894. The death-rate from the
various forms of tuberculosis was 3.2 as compared with 2.95 in 1894 and 3.13 in 1893.
PARISH DISPENSARY.
There was an increase in the amount of sickness amongst the poor of the parish
during the past year, 4,690 patients being treated by the district Medical Officers as
compared with 4,297 in 1894 and 5,383 in 1893. An analysis of the cases (see
appendix, Table XXX) shows there has been an inorease in the total amount of zymotic
disease, 921 cases having come under treatment as compared with 740 in 1894 and
909 in 1893. Measels, influenza, whooping cough and diarrhoea were increased,
whilst scarlet fever, erysipelas, phthisis, and other zymotic diseases were diminished.
Diseases of the respiratory system amounted to 1,250 as compared with 1,092 in
1894, the increase being due to the prevalence of bronchitis. There was an increased
number of cases of rheumatic affections treated, and the number of cases of skin disease
was also increased. Gout was less prevalent as also were diseases of the urinary
system. There was a diminution in the number of cases of cancer, 15 came under
observation as compared with 27 in 1894 and 23 in 1893.
DISINFECTION.
The number of premises visited and disinfected by the Vestry's officers was 828,
and the total number of articles disinfected at the Vestry's disinfecting station was
11,364. The following table sets forth the number of premises and articles
disinfected, the numbers for the preceding four years being placed alongside for
comparison:—