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23
As in the case of measles, the number of deaths from whooping
cough increased considerably, the deaths numbering 32
WHOOPINC
COUCH.
as against 24, 33, 18 and 4 for 1897, 1896, 1895 and 1894
respectively. Considering the record for the last fifteen
years the 1898 figures are not satisfactory. I cannot do better than
repeat what was contained in my last year's Annual Report on this
head.
"As in the case of measles I have often called attention to the
culpable carelessness of mothers in their almost studied indifference
to the needs and requirements of their children when suffering from
whooping cough as being the primary cause of its fatal character.
Right treatment and average attention should bring the little patient
safely through this distressing malady, and the evil will not be
remedied until more value is set upon children's lives and a prompter
recognition of the dangerous character of the disease exists."
The annual death-rate per 1000 last year for Bow in respect to
whooping cough stands as follows for the last five years--1898, .76;
I897, .57; 1896, .77; 1895, .53; 1894, .09