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696, 25 of which ended fatally, or slightly over 3½ per
cent. There were 129 cases of infectious disease resulting
in 6 deaths; 8 of the total viz:—4 of Enteric
Fever, and 4 of the 5 cases of Scarlet Fever that occurred
were moved to hospital and there recovered. There
were 23 cases of "Whooping-Cough with 3 deaths, 44
cases Measles with 2 deaths, and 44 of Diarrhoea with
1 death. The low relative proportion of deaths to cases
treated both of general and infectious diseases indicates
a comparatively slight intensity of the diseases that then
prevailed. It is somewhat remarkable that although
there was a considerable increase in the number of
deaths from Diphtheria throughout the sub-district,
there was not a single case of that disease amongst the
parochial poor; in possible connection with this circumstance
also there were but 5 cases of Scarlet Fever
amongst them, four of which, as already stated, were
removed to hospital.
Inquests.
Violent Deaths.
Uncertified Deaths.
The number of inquests held during
the year was 44, or 9 more than in 1885,
with verdicts of death from natural causes returned in
26 instances, and from violence in 18 or 1 more than in
the year preceding. The number of uncertified deaths
has greatly diminished of late years; there were 17 in
the year 1884, 8 in 1885, and during the past year there
were 7 only, and these it appears were referred to the
Coroner who considered medical inquiry unnecessary.
As any of these cases may have resulted from other than
natural causes, it would afford a greater sense of security
to society if a preliminary medical investigation, in place
of a non-professional inquiry, were made in every case
in which the cause of death is not certified by a registered
Medical Practitioner (see report for 1865 and following).
The number and sex of the persons who formed the