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was to the extent of 14 in excess of the former notifications, and
to some extent may be traced to infection from person to person in
a house where a case was unrecognised and untreated for several
days; but the source of the original case, although sought for, was
not discovered.
There were 16 notifications of the various conditions which are
classed together under the heading of puerperal fever, an exactly
similar number to last year, but there is a great improvement to
mention in the number of deaths, there having been only 3, as compared
with 12 in 1906 and in 1905.
Erysipelas caused 7 deaths compared with 10 in the previous
year. Of these the greater number occurred in public institutions,
and the disease was usually the termination of chronic illness. The
notifications were 20 less than last year.
No cases of small-pox or typhus fever were reported to us.
There were three notifications of cerebro-spinal fever. With one
exception they were all in children under the of 12 years, and
all terminated fatally.
There were also two other patients who suffered from symptoms
suspicious of this disease, who both succumbed. In one instance a
post mortem examination was made, at which I was present; no
obvious lesions were discovered and only negative cultures could be
got by Dr. Bousfield from structures and fluids which are usually
affected by the disease.
In all, 32 fewer deaths took place from cancer, there being a
great decrease in North Camberwell and an increase in Dulwich.
From our knowledge of this disease we are not justified on looking
on the change in numbers as anything more than an accidental
variation.
Alcoholism and cirrho is of the liver jointly were responsible
for 68 deaths, being 9 more than the previous year, Although
these two morbid conditions are combined together for the purposes
of classification, it must not be supposed that every case of cirrhosis
is due to alcohol. The deaths actually returned as due to this
cause were 26.
The deaths from accidental causes of various kinds were 26 less
than in 1906, but those from suicide were 6 more than in that
year, while those from mental diseases were 8 less.
The numbers ascrited to the diseases and accidents of parturition
and to premature birth were almost identical for the two years.
There was a considerable increase in the fatal cases both of pneumonia
and bronchitis.
There were 3 more deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis than
in 1907. Increase was shown in the sub-district of North Camberwell,
decrease in Dulwich and St. George's, while Peckham
and South Camberwell remained practically stationary. A decrease
also showed itself in the age periods of 15 to 25 and 25 to 65. The
last Council had expressed their approval of the system of voluntary
notification, but had never taken any active steps to secure its
adoption. I therefore brought the matter before the new Committee
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