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17
ZYMOTIC DISEASES.
The principal zymotic diseases are small pox, scarlet fever,
typhoid fever and diphtheria, and Table 4 is an analysis of
these diseases, giving the number of cases of each since the
passing of the Notification Act, with the mortality per 1,000 of
the cases notified.
Small Pox.
Although we have had no cases of small pox in our district
during the year, there have been 101 in London with a mortality
of 16, the largest number, 32, occurring in Camberwell. In
16 other districts there were no cases. The much-vexed
question of vaccination, in connection with this disease, is far
from being settled, but I understand that a Bill to amend the
law on this subject is about to be introduced into Parliament,
with the view to determining the matter. At the present time
there are many persons and parents of children who do not
conform to the provisions of the present Act, particularly in
this district. It is an interesting fact that Gloucester, at one
time one of the towns most antagonistic to vaccination, since
the epidemic of small pox in 1896, has become one of the best
vaccinated towns in England.
Scarlet Fever.
There were 816 cases of this disease notified to me during
the year, only 12 of which proved fatal. The death-rate
was *oi per 1,000, and this is the lowest death-rate in
respect to this disease that we have experienced since the
Notification Act came into operation. The cases were
scattered all over the district, and were, generally speaking,
of a mild character, the very fact of the mildness of
the disease helping its spread. In a number of cases we found
parents careless in the manner of isolation and medical
supervision.
It is not uncommon for some, after ascertaining that the case
is one of fever, to neglect to obtain further medical attendance;
they then use their own discretion as to the time when the