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48
Zymotic Diseases.—The deaths from Zymotic diseases
were not so numerous by 5 as in 1870, and but for the
mortality from Small Pox the amount would have been
inconsiderable. The four diseases, Small Pox, Scarlatina,
Fever and Diarrhœa, found during the past year 26
victims, which together is 8 less than in the preceding
year. The deaths from each of the other diseases of the
Zymotic class, enumerated in the table, were not more
numerous than they have usually been for some years past.
The Small Pox cases that came under the treatment of
the Union Medical Officers were 10, but possibly most of
these were ultimately, and after being submitted to home
treatment for a brief period, sent to the special hospitals;
for of the number stated, there is no record whatever of
deaths. It must be assumed therefore that the four
deaths appearing in the Register were those of persons
above pauperism.
Both vaccination and re-vaccination, 1 have reason to
believe, were prosecuted with great energy, otherwise
the presumption is, the mortality would have been much
greater. It is to be regretted that there exists no machinery
by which the number of cases of Small Pox and
other Zymotic diseases in strictly private practice could
be known and recorded, since no general estimate can be
formed at present of the comparative mortality to cases
treated, amongst all classes of sufferers.
Other Diseases.— There is nothing remarkable to be
noted in the columns marking the deaths from diseases
other than Zymotic. One or two of these diseases are
in a small excess of the number tabulated in the previous
year, whilst a few others are much below the former rate,
but in the aggregate these maladies resulted in death in
fewer instances by 17 than appears in the record of 1870.
Of the deaths (22), due to the Tubercular class of diseases,
14 were registered as the result of Phthisis.