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been directed to the occurrence of fresh cases of infectious
disease following the return of patients from
hospital. During the past year 41 such "return"
cases have been noted, 33 of scarlet fever and 8 of
diphtheria. Particulars of 14 of the cases of scarlet
fever, giving rise to 19 other cases, will be found in
the Appendix C, page 116. These cases were
specially inquired into, as there appeared to be a
probability in each case that the returning patient
was the cause of the subsequent cases. The cases not
dealt with did not present such indication of cause
and effect. With regard to diphtheria, the occurrence
of return cases can only be noted. It is impracticable
to make satisfactory inquiries concerning such cases
until bacteriological examination be available.
DEATHS.
During the year 1,941 deaths were registered in
the Parish, 991 of males and 950 of females, equal to
an uncorrected death-rate of 15.37 per thousand, as
compared with rates of 16.57, 18.32, and 15.78, in
the years 1896, 1895, and 1894 respectively. The
deaths were due to the following among other causes:—
diseases of the zymotic class 261, including measles 2,
scarlet fever 3, diphtheria 36, whooping cough 44,
enteric fever 8, simple continued fever 1, diarrhœa
109, puerperal fever 4, and other septic diseases 15.
The deaths due to the principal zymotic diseases
numbered 203, and were equal to a zymotic rate of