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6
Zymotic Diseases.—In 1866 the numerical preponderance
of deaths due to Zymotic diseases was the worst feature
of both the local and general tables of mortality. The
deaths resulting from seven of the principal maladies of
this class amounted, in that year, to no less than 453.
In the past year, however, only 242 deaths due to the
same diseases were registered in the entire District, which
is very considerably less than one half the number registered
in the previous year, and instead of forming 21.3 per
cent of the total deaths, did not exceed 12.4 per cent.
It is also gratifying to be able to record the fact, that
with the one exception of Erysipelas, which contributes
4 deaths to the register of 1867, there is not a single
disease of the Zymotic class having a place in the mortality
table, but exhibits a lower death-rate in the past year than
in that of the previous one, and in some instances to a very
considerable amount. For example, the deaths from Smallpox
fell in the two years from 34 to 24; Measles from 102
to 18: Scarlatina from 49 to 32; Diphtheria from 22 to
8; Whooping cough from 78 to 41; and Fever from 61
to 41. It is a little singular, however, that the deaths
from Diarrhæa in the past year were within 2 of the number
registered in the previous year— the cholera year of
1866—the figures in the two tables shewing respectively
69 and 71 deaths.
From actual Cholera and Choleraic Diarrhœa, there is,
as might be expected, a considerable fall in the mortality
in favour of the past year, the numbers being respectively
36 in 1866. against 5 in 1867.
Sanitation of the Year.—From the singular persistency
and fatality of Diarrhœa in some of the more populous