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13
those of previous years, from, the increase of population
—the figures for 1863 being 1 to 3.97 and 1 to 4 in
1864; the total number of those who died from zymotic
diseases being comparatively small when set against
those arising from ordinary causes.
It may be explained that the higher the numbers in the
third column of the table relative to zymotic diseases,
the more apparent becomes the effect of sanitary
measures in the suppression of ailments of this character.
The proportional share of contagious diseases
borne by each of the five Wards offers no occasion for
particular remark : for, by comparing the figures of
Table 5 with the corresponding figures for previous
years I find but very slight variations in the general
averages of the several Wards; of course, I mean so far
as regards the proportion of zymotic disease to that of
an ordinary kind.
In Table 6 is seen the especial character of the
diseases to which the 1977 death in 18G4 were due. Here
we find that the mortality from Fever was absolutely
numerically less by 15 cases than it was in 1863; while
Small-pox, which was fatal in 46 instances in 1863,
carried off only 7 victims in 1864. But Measles increased
from 12 cases to 115; while, on the other hand,
Scarlatina fell from 154 to 115. Cholera, so-called, was
fatal in 7 cases, though not a single instance of adult
death occurred from diarrhœa. Whooping-cough was
slightly more fatal than in the previous year, the figures
being 67 in 1864 against 40 in 1863. The other diseases
which commonly attack children present no material
variation in number which call for particular remark;
nor do the other figures in the Table present sufficient
deviation to render special reference to them necessary.