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30
per 1,000 in excess of that which actually exists. Next
year, however, is the census year, which will exactly reveal
the increase this district has undergone in reference
to the population during the past ten years; and enable
one to give statistics, with an accuracy (at all events
for that year) which should at all times if possible
characterise them.
The prevailing epidemic diseases during the year,
were Scarlet Fever, Measles, and Fevers generally,
whilst Diarrhœa and Whooping Cough do not shew half
their usual fatality. The whole of the district has been
visited by the two former diseases, and if there was one
part more than another so affected, it was the neighbourhood
of Winstanley Road.
The former disease, Scarlet Fever, is one of the most
dangerous diseases of the Zpnotic class, and is always
looked upon with dread when it makes its appearance.
Not only from its power of disseminating itself, but
from the terrible consequences it generally leaves behind.
That the type of the disease with which we have had to
contend during the past year was most severe, is shewn by
the number of fatal cases.
In the Non-epidemic classes, diseases of the Respiratory
Organs and Tubercular disease shew a large excess.
How much these and other diseases were caused or influenced
by the constant flooding of the basements of houses
with land and sewage water it is impossible to say; but
certain it is that an immense amount of sickness prevailed
in those houses, and no doubt the effects of the floodings
in 1878 were very much felt in 1879.
Mortality.—The total number of deaths registered as
having taken place in the district, was 1,002; 493 being