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41
Parish of Clapham.
a small number of deaths, "while there were 27 in
1893, and 32 in 1891. There was a great deal of Measles
about in 1896, and as usual the deaths were largely due to
Pneumonia, or other lung trouble. The large number of
deaths from this cause and from Whooping Cough, which
together make up 52 per cent, of the total deaths from
Zymotic Diseases, forces one to think that some efforts
should be made to prevent its spread, and to get people to
take more care of the sufferers when ill. There is no
doubt that the great majority of the children who die from
Measles and Whooping Cough might be saved by very
ordinary care, if the gravity of this condition were more
generally recognised.
Whooping
Cough.
Caused 42 deaths, also the largest number in
the decade. It is still the commonest thing: to
©
come across cases of Whooping Oough in the waiting
rooms of hospitals, and dispensaries. The invariable
answer of the mother when reproached for it is, " She
did not know there was any harm." This should
be stopped, and could be if notification were in force.
Diarrhoea.
Was responsible for 32 deaths, not quite so
many as in 1895, but exceeding the decennial
average.
Influenza.
There were only 12 deaths attributed to this
cause, as small a number as in any year since
it has found its way among the causes of death. There
was not any well marked epidemic of it in 1896.