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In the week ending March 2nd, we had 5 deaths from this disease;
all children of and under 2 years of age.
On one of these infants an Inquest was held; the other was
uncertified by any Medical man. I again deliberately record my
opinion, not caring about offending popular prejudice, that a
large proportion of the deaths of these helpless infants might be
prevented, by the Parents having recource to proper Medical advice
which is too frequently neglected.
A death from preventible disease requires comment. A man 41
years of age has died from delirium tremens. —He was a publican.
This disease so well known, is caused not so much by occasional
excess in intoxicating drinks, as by continued tippling. It is now
to the credit of the community more rare than formerly.
The entire deaths for this week were 22, the corrected average
being 27.—The births were 45.
For the week ending March 9th, the deaths were 29, the corrected
average being within a fraction of that number. There were 3 deaths
from whooping cough, none from any other Zymotic disease.—The
births for the week were 59.
In the week ending March 16th, the deaths exceeded the average;
they registered 25, the average being 23. Whooping cough was
again fatal in 3 cases, 1 was uncertified; thus proving that medical
attendance had been ignored.—The births for the week were 57.
In the week ending March 23, the deaths were below the average,
they were 20, the average being within a fraction of 25. I am glad
to report that whooping cough did not contribute to the mortality.
—The births were 47.
The effects produced by diseased meat upon the human system,
are in some cases so marked as to remove any shadow of doubt as to
its pernicious and poisonous properties. In other cases, health is
sapped by a more gradual process.—Of the two, the latter is the
more dangerous. The former which is most usually marked by
vomiting and diarrhœa, is of a passing character only. I regret to
state, that in several instances I have lately had to complain that
meat exposed for sale was, to say the least, of a doubtful character
—I warned the vendors in a friendly manner. I may state,
that I have the whole of the butchers shops in the Parish under my
surveillance; those who invariably keep good and sound meat for
sale, receive my visits with frankness and apparent satisfaction, the
reverse is the case in other instances.