View report page

"diphtherite;"* in one case it was the primary disease, in a second it followed
measles, and in a third hooping cough. The deaths from diseases of the chest
have been ten fewer than in January ; the infant deaths from these affections
being nearly the same. The mortality from this cause continues higher than
that of last year, when the deaths in February were 37.
Six hundred and thirty eight applicants for medical relief were entered on
the books of the Parochial Surgeons. Of these 70 laboured under one or other
of the diseases which are grouped together as zymotic ; among these were two
cases of ague; one of them occurred in Pembroke Street, in the person of a
labourer who had suffered from the disease 8 years ago ; he had not recently
been working in the country, and I cannot but think that the filthy and miasmatic
condition of the road and neighbouring land was a probable cause of
his renewed attack. There have been only two cases of fever recorded. No
fresh cases of small-pox have been entered, although I have heard of some under
the care of private practitioners. It is desirable that parents should be
reminded of the necessity for having their children vaccinated, and that
they are breaking the law in neglecting it. Acute diseases of the lungs appear
to be declining, the number of cases entered being as nearly as possible the same
as in February, 1857.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health
42, Myddelton Square,
March \th, 1858.
* A specific inflammation of the throat, less common in this country than in France,
which was fatal to many persons at Boulogne in 1856, and during the summer of last year was
prevalent in Kent and Essex.