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doubt whatever have their origin in a similar manner,
and are often modifications of the more positive diseases
in this class. Of these, are many pulmonary affections
usually ascribed to inflammation, the result of cold,
rheumatic fever, strumous diseases, and probably consumption
itself; many others of a more or less
formidable character might be included as having their
probable cause in specific blood poisoning, leaving comparatively
few diseases which may not be included in
this class, and therefore amenable to human control
and prevention; but this is a subject which cannot be
pursued within the limits of a Report.
Smalt, Pox and Scarlet Fever.
The Table subjoined contains a return of the number
of deaths from small pox and scarlet fever in Mile
End Old Town and the whole Metropolis, separately,
during seven quarters ending September, 1871.
The interesting feature of this return is the alternation
in the severity of the two diseases, as indicated by
the number of deaths in each quarter.
Thus, in the first quarter of 1870, the small pox
epidemic may be said to have first definitively asserted
itself, although it did not begin to assume very large
proportions until the last quarter of 1870. It was in
this quarter also that the scarlet fever epidemic of
1869-70, attained its maximum of severity. By the
Table, it will be seen that both in the whole Metropolis
and in this Hamlet small pox caused the fewest number
of deaths in the first or October month of that quarter,
and scarlet fever the greatest number of deaths during
precisely the same period. During the second month of
the quarter (November) there was conversely an increase
in the number of deaths from small pox, and an equivalent
decrease in the number of deaths from scarlet