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clusive of consumption, were eighty-four, eighty-five, and sixty-two respectively, which is six,
five and twenty-eight less than the number recorded in the quarter now under consideration.
Consuniption was fatal to sixty, or 11.4 of the total deaths; Convulsions caused the death
of 23; scrofula, or tubercular diseases, 29 ; violence of various kinds proved fatal to
34, or 6.4 per cent. of the total mortality; and the epidemic diseases were fatal to
seventy-four, of which number, two died from small-pox, seven from measles, six from scarletfever
and diphtheria, thirty-two from hooping-cough, fourteen from diarrhceo, and thirteen
from fever. On comparing the number of deaths from epidemic diseases, with that in the
corresponding quarter of the preceding year, it will be seen, that measles, scarlet-fever, and
fever have been less fatal by twenty-two; while hooping-cough and diarrhoea have been more
fatal by thirty-two. There lias been an increase of ten in the total number of deaths from
epidemic diseases, seventy-four against sixty-four. The returns of deaths from fever are
satisfactory, thirteen against sixteen. There are eleven deaths uncertified by a medical practitioner
; they principally relate to convulsions of children, a frequently alleged cause of death,
when a medical practitioner had not been in attendance. One of these cases is thus reoorded,
" convulsions after a burn." In this instance an inquest was not held, while in nine other
teases where death was caused by burns and scalds, inquests were held. Congenital syphilis
proved fatal to four, but it is highly probable, that many more died from this disease than are
recorded in the mortality returns. The frequency of death from this disease ought to make
those persons, who are in search of a wet-nurse, very careful in their inquiries respecting the
death of the wet-nurse's child, or if the child be living, respecting the state of its health ; for,
if the mother be constitutionally diseased, as she would be, if the child had died from syphilis,
she would be unfitted for the duties of a wet-nurse.
The cases of illness attended by the medical officers of the Union, exclusive of those in
the workhouse, were 3,266. This is an increase of 536 on the cases attended in the corresponding
quarter of last year.
The cases of diarrhoea have increased from 112 to 238. This increase of diarrhoea is
probably owing to atmospheric causes. The eating of fruit is frequently alleged to be the cause
of this disease, but I believe that this is not correct. On the contrary, I am of opinion that
the moderate use of ripe and fresh fruit is, during the hot weather, very beneficial, when the
same is substituted for, and not added to, food of a more stimulating nature. The cases of
small-pox have slightly increased — seventeen against fourteen. Out of the fifty-five cases
of small-pox which have been attended by the medical officers of the Union, during this and
the preceding quarter, thirty-three had not been vaccinated, eighteen had the marks of the
cow-pox, and ten were not specified. The fever cases are nearly the same—eighteen against
seventeen.
The cases of illness in the workhouse were 539, of which number, Mr. Champness attended
217, including one of scarlet-fever, eighteen of diarrhoea, and five of fever; and Mr. Richardson
attended 322, including thirteen of measles, one of scarlet-fever, one of hooping-cough, six of
diarrhoea, and four of fever. The total number of sick, during the past quarter, which have
been attended by the medical officers of the Union, amounts to the enormous number
of 3,805.
The amount of the sanitary work performed by the Inspectors for the last quarter may
be seen on referring to the first Table in the Appendix.
I am, Gentlemen, Vour obedient Servant,
JOHN LIDPLE,
Board of Works,
15, Great Alie Street.