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9
dangerous infectious disorder, should now be discontinued, as both
unnecessary and unjustifiable.
On June 18th, 1901, Mrs. X appeared before the Public Health
Committee in explanation of her conduct in removing a child suffering
from Scarlet Fever, who was in her charge, from Hampstead to another
part in a hansom cab, without the driver of the cab being informed of
the nature of the disease. By resolution of the Committee, Mrs. X
was severely cautioned by the Chairman of the Committee.
Local Diseases.—Diseases of the respiratory organs, which include
Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and Pleurisy, caused 137 deaths. Whilst the
deaths from this cause were on the whole less by 14 than those for the
preceding year, the large increase of deaths from Pneumonia points to
the influence of the epidemic of Influenza in the early part of the year
on the respiratory organs.
Diseases of the nervous system caused 83 deaths, including 17 from
Convulsions. Deaths from Apoplexy, Paralysis, and Epilepsy, are
ncluded in this class.
Diseases of the Heart and Circulatory system, caused 109 deaths,
diseases of the digestive organs, which include affections of the liver and
bowels, &c., caused 42 ; of these, 7 were due to Diabetes; 4 to Cirrhosis
of the liver, frequently connected with drinking habits; and 5 to
Alcoholism, including Delirium Tremens.
Kidney and Urinary troubles caused 35 deaths, whilst locomotory
and integumentary diseases were each responsible for 5 deaths.
Constitutional Diseases.—This important class comprises the causes
of 164 deaths, of which 8 were due to Gout and Rheumatism; 69 to
Cancer, and 87 to Phthisis and its allied diseases.
The deaths from Cancer show an increase of 10 over the preceding
year. This is one of the diseases of modern life which seems to be
steadily increasing. From the Registrar-General's returns, it would
seem that the mortality from this cause has for many years been greatly
and uninterruptedly rising. It is generally admitted that the tendency