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34
Scarlet Fever.—Of this disease 790 cases were reported
in the Parish, the largest number on record, and 14 in excess
o the number for 1893, when the disease was last epidemic
in the district. The number of cases in each quarter of last
year were 148. 155, 268, and 219, and in the corresponding
quarters of 1893, 108, 187, 264, and 217. Last
year's total was 83.5 per cent. in excess of the six
year average. In London, 25,676 cases were reported,
a total 3,521 in excess of the average, and equal to an
increase of 15.8 per cent. Last year's total for the Metropolis
has been exceeded twice since the introduction of
notification, viz. in 1892, when there were 27,095 cases, and
in 1893, when there were 36,901.
Puerperal Fever.—This was the only other disease
showing an increase during the year, the total number of cases
(11) being 3 in excess of the average. In London, 279 cases
were reported, 4 less than the average. The rate from this
disease was 0.08 per 1,000 in Paddington, as against one of
0.06 in the whole of London.
Attention has been directed just recently to the continued
prevalence of this disease in the country generally. The
matter was discussed very minutely in a Paper read before
the Epidemiological Society in March, 1896, and more
generally by Dr. Cullingworth in his Inaugural Address to
the Obstetrical Society of London, in March, 1897. From
Tables included in the latter communication it appears that
during the five years 1891.95, 1,449 cases of this disease
were reported in London, equivalent to a rate of 2.17 per
1,000 births registered, the highest rate for any district
being that of Hampstead, 3.64, and the lowest, that
of St. Martin.in.the.Fields, 0.00. According to the same
Author, the rate for Paddington was 2.85, seventh in order
of magnitude. Dr. Cullingworth's table is appended :—