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34
number for some years past. This is the most justly dreaded
of all zymotic diseases, not only for its prolonged and uncertain
period of infectiveness, but for its numerous and often
fatal sequela.
To Croup a larger number of deaths has been ascribed than
for some years past. This probably arises from the fact that
inflammatory affections of the larynx, which would formerly
have been certified as laryngitis, are now included in the term
" Croup" by many practitioners.
The various forms of Fever caused 14 deaths during the
year—of these 13 were registered as from Enteric Fever and
1 from Typhus. This is identical with the number recorded
last year, and is in accord with the usual average.
The other zymotic deaths were but few in number and do
not present features calling for special remark. Some cases
of Small Pox in Beaufoy Road, necessitated special
inspections and reports which were made by me on April
17th, and May 4th, and measures of precaution were taken
with the result of arresting the disease in that locality.
Of course many cases of zymotic disease were removed to
the special hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board
during the year. This body, which is far from popular, owing
less to any faults in its administration, than to the very
natural dislike which every locality feels at being selected as
the site for a Small Pox or Fever Hospital for the reception
of persons other than its own inhabitants, is gradually
educing an efficient system of removal and treatment at its
special hospitals, and subsequent isolation at its sanitoria
for a sufficiently long period to render almost impossible any
danger of infection from the patients discharged by it, to those
with whom they consequently come in contact. The system
pursued is now tolerably perfect, as the ambulances belonging
to this authority now convcy the patients from their dwellings