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incident prepares one for similar treatment in any subsequent
epidemic of small-pox. I am of opinion it is the duty of the Local
Authority to provide against a repetition of such incidents by providing
a vehicle for the conveyance of dead bodies to the Mortuary.
During ordinary periods there is need for such a conveyance, and the
need will get greater as the population increases.
Scarlet Fever.—During the year under consideration 880 cases
of scarlet fever were notified in the Borough of Hackney. Of these,
11 were subsequently determined not to be suffering from this disease.
This leaves a total of 869 genuine cases of scarlet fever notified
during 1902. This is equivalent to an attack-rate of nearly 4 per
1,000 persons living in the Borough. The disease was evenly dis"
tributed over the district, The accompanying chart shews the
disease to be prevalent during the whole year, being rather more so
during the latter than the former half of the year. On two occasions
the weekly notifications reached the number of 33, but this number
speedily fell. The causes of these rises were not obvious.
Out of the number of cases notified we were able to get 653 removed
to hospital. This is equivalent to 75 per cent. of the total.
The deaths registered from this disease during the year numbered
only 14. This is equivalent to a death-rate of 1.6 per cent. cases
notified, and .06 per 1,000 living persons. The age distribution and
age at death are set out in the annexed tables.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—During 1902 there were
690 notifications of diphtheria and 12 of membranous croup received.
Of this total 29 cases were subsequently found not to be suffering
from diphtheritic disease. This leaves a total of 673 diphtheritic
cases notified during the year, which is equivalent to an attack-rate
of 3 per 1,000 of the population. This disease has been prevalent
during the whole year. At no time could it be said that Hackney
has been free from diphtheria during 1902. The lowest number of
cases notified during a week was 5; this happened on two occasions.
The highest number in any week was 21. The disease was rather