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5
There were no deaths from small.pox in 1896, and not a single
case of the disease occurred in the parish. Measles caused 109 deaths,
as compared with only 11 in 1895. Whooping.cough caused 62 deaths
in 1896 (Kensal Town, 21), and only 35 in 1895. The mortality from
enteric fever (10 deaths) was well below the average of the past 12
years (14 deaths annually). Of the 10 deaths, 2 belonged to Kensal
Town.
Diphtheria.—This disease caused 108 deaths in 1896, as against
57 in 1895. In addition there were 4 deaths from membranous croup.
The average mortality from diphtheria and croup in the 12 years,
1884.1895, is 44 deaths annuall, the largest number recorded in any
one year being 61 in 1884. The mortality (112 deaths) from fatal
throat disease in 1896 is, therefore, more than double the average of the
preceding 12 years, and nearly double the mortality recorded for the
worst of those years. Of these 112 deaths, 78 were under 5 years of
age, and 34 were over 5:62 deaths occurred in hospitals, and 50 at
the patients' own homes. Of the total number of deaths, 16 only
belong to Kensal Town, the remaining 96 being deaths of residents in
the home district.

Scarlet Fever.—This disease was again very prevalent in 1896, and
is credited with the causation of 28 deaths, 9 of which belonged to
Kensal Town. From May until late in the autumn, the Fever
Hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board were unable to admit all
the patients suffering from this disease, and also those suffering from
diphtheria, who applied for admission; and, in consequence, namerous
cases of both diseases in Chelsea experienced a delay of one or more
days in removal, whilst others were treated in their own homes during
the entire period of illness.
Measles.—This disease caused 109 death in 1896, as compared with
only 11 in 1895. Of this number 25 were deaths of Kensal Town
residents. The epidemic commenced in February, and continued until
the middle of June, the latter half of the year being practically free
from the disease.