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4
Zymotic Diseases.
The total number of deaths from zymotic diseases
was 702, being 264 above the average of five previous
years; this excess is almost entirely attributable to
the fatal epidemic of scarlatina, which killed 216 persons
during the year. The average number of deaths
for ten previous years from this disease was 86.
Small pox was exceptionally prevalent, and there
were 43 deaths from this disease distributed through
the Wards of the Hamlet as follows:—
N. E. C. S. W.
5 25 12 1 0
This fact of the localization of the disease in the
East and West Wards tends to show that close community
of persons is necessary for the spread of the small
pox by infection, the poison not being nearly so subtle
and diffusive as that of scarlatina.
Limitation of the spread of small pox by infection
and its entire suppression, are, therefore, comparatively
easy by means of early isolation, and the ordinary
sanitary measures. Where sufficient isolation cannot
be accomplished, as in the houses of the poor, all that
is required is a suitable and convenient place for the
reception of patients.
The disease commenced in the East Ward, thence
slowly extended into the adjoining Centre Ward, where
it still prevails.
In this limited epidemic, we have at once evidence
both of the comparatively feeble propagating power of
small pox by infection from person to person, and
therefore of its easy control and suppression by the
means indicated.