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71
The death-rate per 1,000 living was 0.62.
The Wards mostly afteeted were St. Peter, St. George, St. Jude and
St. John, in the order named.
WHOOPING COUGH.
The deaths from this disease were 64 for the year.
The annual death-rate per 1,000 living was 0.33.

361 cases of Whooping Cough were notified to the Medical Officer of
Health from the Schools.
CEREBRO SPINAL FEYER.
During the year three cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever were notified,
of which two died.
DIARRHEA.
The year under consideration illustrates the swing of the pendulum
in regard to the mortality from Diarrhsea. For the last four years there
has been a marked diminution in the number of deaths, ranging from 225
in 1906, to 90 in 1910. The pendulum last year (1911) swung in the
opposite direction. The season will be remembered as an exceptionally
hot one during the whole of the summer months. August as usual was
a very fatal month for infants, and the prevalent disease was Diarrhsea.
In regard to the action taken by the Sanitary staff, it can be said that
every case was visited and the premises reported upon. Instructions and
leaflets were also given to the parents. This work was carried out by
Male Inspectors. I had intended to employ a woman inspector for this
work, but owing to the action of the Council in deciding otherwise this
had to be abandoned. Women inspectors are better suited for making
inquiries and giving instructions in children's complaints. In the case of
every birth, instructions " How to feed the baby •' are sent, in which
breast feeding is advocated. We find that breast feeding the baby on the
ground alone of economy, is the usual practice in this borough. Directions
to the number usually of 10,000, are distributed at the houses in the
poorer parts of the district calling attention to the "Precautions to be
taken to prevent Summer Diarrhsea."