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54
The deaths from this cause were well below the
annual averages. The fatality was high, but there is
more than a suspicion that the number of cases
reported understates the prevalence of the disease.
The last "Nomenclature of Diseases" issued by the
Royal College of Physicians, directs that the term
"Puerperal Fever" should no longer be used. The
Legislature thus directs the notification of a disease
under a name which the highest medical authority
declares to be out of use and so affords an excuse for
the non-performance of an exceedingly unpleasant
duty.
Grouping puerperal fever with diseases of parturition,
a total of twelve deaths is obtained, equal to
a fatality of 0.4 per cent, of the births registered in
the year. In North Paddington there were nine
deaths (0.34 per cent, of the births), and in South
three (0.70 per cent.)
The deaths during the year from all the other
diseases mentioned in Tables 17 and 18 were below
their respective annual averages, with the exception
of those from Malignant Disease. The 114 deaths
from this cause were 5 in excess of the ten years'
annual average, and 10 in excess of that for 1887-91,
but 2 below that for 1892-96. The mortality last
year was 0.90, as compared with a mean rate of 0.86.
The increase occurred entirely in North Paddington,
where 84 deaths were recorded, 5 in excess of the
annual average for 1887-96, 9 in excess of that for