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14
[Appendix IV.

It is satisfactory to note that, in spite of the abnormally hot summer, there were fewer cases
of illness reported as "cholera" in the Metropolis. So far as is known, none of them were
cases of true or Asiatic cholera. No ease of that disease has ever been certified in the Parish,
while only 2 cases of any form of cholera have been reported in the eleven years 1890-1900.
In one case, when inquiry was made as to the patient on the day the certificate was received,
she was found to be about, apparently well and eating fruit.

In the last report a "continued decrease in the prevalence" of this disease in the Parish was
recorded, a decrease which not only continued, but became more marked during the year under
review. In 1899 the recorded cases (203) were 72 below the annual average (275) for the nine years
1890-98, showing a reduction equivalent to 26*2 per cent. Last year the 154 recorded cases were
116 below the annual average (270) for the preceding ten years, showing a reduction of 43'0 per
cent. In the Metropolis the cases reported in 1899 were 2,524 above the annual average for
1890-98, an increase of 22'5 per cent., and although the cases reported last year were 1,696 fewer
tban in 1899, yet the total was nearly 4*0 per cent, above the decennial average.
As regards the Parish, last year's total was the lowest on record, and was 19 below the total
for 1892 (173), the previous lowest record. The maximum recorded in the eleven years 1890-1900
was that of 1894 (382). In the Metropolis the lowest annual total was that of 1892 (6,412),
which was 5,597 fewer than the total of last year, while the maximum record was that of 1896
(13,820), which exceeded that of last year by 1,811 cases.
In St. Mary's Sub-District 131 cases were recorded last year, being less than half the decennial
average (270), and 3 less than the previous minimum (134) recorded in 1892. In 1894 (the
maximal year) 340 cases were recorded. In St. John's Sub-District 23 cases were reported last
year, compared with a decennial average of 34 cases. In 1899, 22 cases were recorded, the
minimum record, and in 1893, 57 (the maximum).
Of the districts mentioned in Table 8, St. George, Hanover Square alone had a diphtheria
rate (1*14) lower than that of the Parish (1"18).
The relative preponderance of the incidence of the disease on children at school ages is clearly
indicated in Table 9. Thus of the 86 cases reported in the Parish among males at all ages, 44
were children at ages between 3 and 15 years, while of the 86 cases reported among females at all
ages, 50 occurred at those special ages. The complete comparison is set out below, the cases
reported at " all ages " being taken as 100 in each group:—
Males.
Females.
All ages.
3 to 15.
All ages.
3 to 15.
Padaington 100 64 100 58
St. Mary 100 66 100 62
St. John 100 58 100 27
* Including cases certified as Membranous Croup.