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former institution, and none in tatter. latter. 1205 parishioners therefore
died during the 12 months; this gives 5 more deaths than during the year
1857, and 122 more than in 1858.
After so long a period as 9 years, since the last census was taken, it is
almost impossible to arrive at anything like a proximate idea of what the
population now is in our rapidly increasing district. The past year has,
however, been more healthy than the one preceding; but I believe that
about 190 persons died in excess of what has been termed a moderately
healthy ratio, viz., 17 per 1000.
It is satisfactory to note, that a decrease of 10 deaths has taken place
from disease of the zymotic class, which diseases arc frequently aggravated
or prove fatal when sanitary precautions are but little attended to, and
the decrease would have been much greater had not 54 deaths occurred
principally in the autumn quarter, from diarrhoea, among young infants.
Small-pox has appeared with much virulence throughout the entire
Metropolis. It was first noticed in the Eastern Districts, making its way
thence Southern. It afterwards visited the "Western Suburbs.
This Parish is, I consider, especially fortunate in only having to record
11 deaths, of which number I possess information that in 8 cases vaccination
was either imperfectly or not at all performed. The greatest number
of deaths occurred in the summer and autumn quarters.
This small mortality, though large compared with 1858 and 1859, viz.,
2 by 0, is mainly owing to the active measures taken on the appearance
of the disease in any locality. A house to house visitation has been
instituted; the habitations white-washed and cleansed, and all nuisances
likely to prove injurious to health, as far as possible, removed, and where
necessary, the case has been removed to the Small Pox Hospital. By the
adoption of these means the disease has in no instance extended over a
neighbourhood.
Every parochial school, charitable institution, and all infants born
during the year, but of whom the District Registrars had received no
certificate of successful vaccination, have also been examined by your