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It is obvious that, in order to prevent the spread of disease
and the possibility of one or two cases developing into a widespread
and fatal epidemic, a knowledge of the existence of first
cases is indispensable. The first cases are not necessarily
fatal, and the information derived from certificates of death
usually come too late to be of much use in the prevention of
epidemics. Voluntary notification is incomplete, and therefore
a failure. Thirty-eight towns in Great Britain have availed
themselves—under Local Acts—of compulsory notification,
and in practice it has been found to work satisfactorily.
This subject is perfectly distinct from that of the compulsory
removal of the sick to Hospital.
January 2nd, 1888.
During the fortnight that ended on the 24th day of December,
124 births and 53 deaths were registered in the Parish. These
numbers shew an annual birth rate of 35.5, and an annual
rate of mortality of 15.2 per 1,000 of the estimated population.
The corresponding death rate in London was 19.3.
Zymotic Diseases caused 14 deaths, viz.:—Measles, five;
Scarlet Fever, one; Whooping Cough, six; Simple Fever, one;
and Diarrhoea, one.
From Diseases of the Respiratory Organs there were 12
deaths, viz.:—From Bronchitis, seven; from Pneumonia, four;
and from Asthma, one.
Diseases of the Tubercular class caused six deaths.
Six inquests were held. All the deaths were referred to
Natural Causes.
The number of deaths in children under one year of age was
11, and in persons of 60 years of age and upwards, nine. A
female died in the Workhouse, at the age of 100 years, on the
24th of December.