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When serious complications come on, when the disease has run
riot through the unfortunate helpless little sufferers, then forsooth,
when the lungs or brain, or both are attacked, a doctor is sent for!
Because there is danger of death! This has often occurred to me,
and I have been told when at the bedside, it was only because the
child had no chance of surviving, that a doctor had been sent for.
Recovery from Measles is hardly ever complete without skilful
medical assistance. I believe that a large proportion of deaths in
childhood, or during the period of youth—and especially those
arising from affections of the chest, may be traced to neglected or
improperly treated Measles.
Up to this period we have been almost exempt from Diarrhœa,
propably the low temperature as compared with last year has exercised
a considerable influence.
Typhus has proved fatal in many instances, and isolated cases
of Diptheria have occurred.
Scarlatina has also visited us, but not to any material extent.
Whooping Cough has however been especially fatal and general;
this is doubtless owing in a great degree to the prevalence of low
temperature, a continuance of cold Easterly winds, and excessive
moisture. The same remarks which I have made above, on the
subject of Measles, in reference to the neglect and disinclination
prevailing with the poorer classes in seeking medical assistance,
applies also to Whooping Cough.
I regret to find that there are several deaths in our district from
a disease, to which I cannot refrain from alluding.—This is the
Venereal. In almost all the instances it is poor helpless and
innocent infants who have from the gross neglect and culpability
of one or both parents, gone early to the grave. I mentioned in a
former Report, that this loathsome malady was becoming of a
more malignant type, and I believe that a considerable proportion
of the obstinate skin diseases, which are becoming so frequent in
young children,have their origin from this polluted source.
The Tables which will form an appendix to this Report will,
notwithstanding exceptional adverse facts, prove I trust in the
whole satisfactory as to the past, and encouraging for the future.
It has been said that figures may be made to prove anythingstill
as a rule, they are stubborn facts.
In the weekly printed returns of the Registrar General, especial
notice is now very properly taken upon the number of deaths in