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28 deaths occurred from this disease alone, a preventible
waste of human life.
The thanks of the community are due to the Guardians
and their Vaccination Officer, Mr. Payne, for the effective
manner in which the Vaccination Acts are carried out.
Other Diseases.—The diseases which arise from Tubercle
are Phthisis, Hydrocephalus, or Tabes Mesenterica, which
simply refers the tubercular deposit and the consequent
local affection to the head, chest, or abdomen respectively.
These diseases caused 167 deaths in 1879, contrasting with
166 in 1878, 193 in 1877, and 205 in 1876; shewing a
diminished mortality from these diseases in an increased
population.
From diseases of the Respiratory Organs the severe
winters of the last two or three years have produced a great
and abmormal mortality. During the year under report,
271 deaths were registered from Bronchitis, Pneumonia,
and the other diseases of this class.
Diseases of the Brain and Nerves occasioned 97 deaths.
It is interesting to observe that between 5 and 10 years
but 2 deaths arose from this cause, and from 10 to 20
years 3 deaths only. Thus from 5 to 20 years but 5 deaths
occurred from brain affection in a population of probably
50,000 persons, an absolute proof that the more perfect
education of the young does not work mischief in this
direction; indeed, we should expect to find this result, as
it is a physiological axiom that an organ which is constantly
and regularly called upon to fulfil its functions is less
liable to disease than one which is allowed to remain
dormant and unexercised.
Diseases of the digestive system caused death in 32