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30
ZYMOTIC DISEASES.
If we except scarlatina and diphtheria, to which diseases
8 persons have succumbed during the past year, it will
not be found that the sub-district has suffered very
greatly from the epidemic class of maladies; indeed, the
above Table exhibits one death less, under this head, than
in 1861, the numbers being respectively 19 and 20.
Although small-pox has, since the termination of 1862,
become very rife throughout the metropolis and suburbs,
not a death from this disease was registered in the past
year in the several parishes constituting this sub-district;
and it is with no small regret that it is now found to be
spreading somewhat alarmingly amongst all classes.
The neglect of vaccination is, I believe, the main cause
of this; and it is a question whether re-vaccination ought
not to be generally practised, seeing how many exceptions
there are to the general rule of vaccination in infancy
protecting the individual throughout life. The isolation
of patients, especially those of the poorer classes, suffering
from small-pox, is another point in every way deserving
the consideration of the authorities. Until the Compulsory
Vaccination Act is properly carried out, and local
infirmaries established in every union, it is feared this
highly infectious disease will spread, in spite of every
other care and precaution.
INFANT MORTALITY.—MORTALITY AMONGST THE AGED.
It is most gratifying to be able to refer to the diminished
number of fatal cases of sickness amongst infants and