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of 13.2; whilst two hundred and thirty treated without serum
had a percentage death-rate of 47.8.
Typhoid Fever.
In 1895 only 81 cases were notified to me as occurring in the
Hamlet. There is much more certainty in the diagnosis of this
disease than of diphtheria, for instance. We may, therefore,
take these notifications as being correct, only 15 of which
proved fatal. In seventy instances the drains were tested and
twenty-two found to be defective. The defects were remedied
under the direct supervision of the Inspectors.
It often happens in the testing of drains after infectious
diseases, as well as on complaints, that the house drains are
found to be sound, and the smoke is seen issuing in volumes
through the flap trap of the nearest street gully. This happens
very frequently in narrow streets, where the gullies are situated
just outside the front doors of the houses. They are from time
to time not only a great nuisance but also a source of danger
to the public health.
During the past year when complaints have been made and
the matter brought specially before the Sanitary Committee,
gullies having a water seal have been fixed, and this prevents
sewer gas escaping through them from the sewers. The work
of reconstructing all the gullies in the Hamlet on this principle
ought to be undertaken without delay; and although it would
be a costly matter, the benefit to the public health would
repay the outlay.
Measles.
Although Measles is one of the least dangerous of the
Zymotic class, it spreads contagion rapidly, especially amongst
children. This disease is not at present notifiable under the
Act, and therefore it is difficult to know when it assumes an
epidemic character. Principally by the mortality returns wo
become aware of its presence in this form. During the month
of March it was found to be abnormally high in the East
Ward, and on making inquiries I discovered that a severe