View report page

93
Uncertified deaths.—There were 5 only—a small number
compared with that of former years. Nevertheless,
if it be only in one instance, the law is still required to
recognise the necessity which exists for an investigation
into the circumstances of every death, the cause of which
has not been certified by a registered Medical Practitioner.
For security of life, and, indeed, for every interest of
society such necessity cannot be too strongly insisted
upon. (See Report for 1865 and following Reports).
Sanitary Proceedings.—A summary of the principal
sanitary proceedings which were carried out during the
year is as usual contained in Table VI., Appendix. They
were much more extensive than in previous years,
especially in the number of inspections of houses and the
rectification of their sanitary defects, and in the removal
of nuisances generally. The disinfection of houses,
directed principally against the progress of the epidemic
of Small-pox, and which was effected by the process of
sulphur-fumigation, represented a large amount of
valuable, because successful, work. The total number of
houses disinfected was 88. The number disinfected by
sulphur-fumigation in consequence of the presence of
Small-pox was 49, and the number treated by the same
process for Scarlet-fever was 32. In two instances only
did the necessity for a second fumigation arise; and in
one instance only was there a recurrence of the disease
after fumigation, in which case the recurrence was
traceable to a well-ascertained fresh exposure of the
patient to contagion. The above numbers are best shown
in a tabular form :—
Number of houses disinfected by sulphur fumigation after
Small-pox 49
Number of houses disinfected by sulphur-fumigation after
Scarlatina and other fevers 32
Number of houses disinfected by Bulphur-fumigation a second
time 2
Number of houses in which there was a recurrence of contagious
disease after disinfection 1