View report page

83
from syphilis). The total number of children is about 12.
The wisdom of such an institution may be questioned
unless under authoritative control and supervision.
Inquests and Uncertified Deaths.—Six inquests were
held during the year.
The following were the Verdicts:—
I.—Accident—drowning, 2; fall from cab, 1; suffocation
in a ditch, 1.
II.—Suicide by drowning, 1
ILL—Natural—rupture of blood-vessel, 1; inflammation
of intestines, 1.
In two cases the certificate of death was given by an
unqualified practitioner. In one of th ese the affected name of
" Cynanche trachealis,''was given instead of the well-known
"croup,"as a cause of death. To any one who knows the intimate
connection between diphtheria and croup, it may be
open to conjecture whether the name, notwithstanding its
pretence of erudition, is correct. The other was a conveniently
vague cause of death, viz.:—convulsions. In any
case it may be asked what is the advantage of the time,
expense and labour of obtaining a medical qualification if
the one barrier to the inroad of interlopers is thus broken
down. One death occurred without medical attendance,
and no inquest was thought necessary.
Sanitary Proceedings.—An epitome of the sanitary
work of the year 1878 will be found in Table VI. in the
Appendix. It will there be seen that 910 houses were
inspected during the year by our active and able Surveyor,
to whom I owe many thanks for his always ready and
efficient assistance. This number is larger than any yet
recorded in our Tables for this Sub-district. The number of