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22
suffered so slightly as to escape being laid up, upon an
average, beyond two or three days; and I am delighted to
add, not one of them were marked in the slightest degree
from the effects of the disease.
The total number of deaths from Small-pox was 11,
which is by no means a heavy mortality, seeing that the
disease attacked alike all classes and conditions of the
population. During an experience of thirty years in this
parish, I have never known this disease to spread more
rapidly, nor assume a more severe form amongst the unvaccinated
than it did during the past year; and this, I
find corresponds with the experience of most of my medical
brethren practising in the locality.
By reference to Table V., Appendix, it will be seen that
88 cases of Small-pox were treated amongst the out-door
union poor of this parish, and that 4 of these cases proved fatal.
At the same ratio, the 11 deaths from this malady, would
give amongst all classes 242 cases treated during the year,
which I imagine is about the number that actually occurred
in both public and private practice within the sub-district.
If this calculation is correct, as I believe it to be, it will
give during the year a large amount of disease that might
possibly have been entirely prevented by a more strict
enforcement of the provisions of the Compulsory Vaccination
Act.
accidental, violent, and sudden deaths.
As many as 14 inquests were held during the year, and
I regret to say, in but a very small proportion of them
was medical evidence received, or even thought of; and
why, it may *be asked, under such circumstances, should
the time of the tradesmen, who generally compose coroners'