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alkaloids, the result of a partial or incipient state of
decomposition, and to which the diarrhœa] epidemic is
probably due. The majority of the victims, it is proper
to state, were hand-fed infants.
Whooping- Cough caused 62 deaths, the largest number
since 1878, and has for the last four years been extremely
prevalent.
Measles was fatal in 44 instances, in many cases in
conjunction with the preceding disease.
Both these two diseases combined caused 106 deaths.
There are the greatest practical difficulties in insuring
isolation of those affected, the only means by which they
could be effectively controlled, seeing the success which
has attended isolation by removal to special hospitals in
the case of Small-pox, Typhoid, Typhus and Scarlatina,
for those for whom there is no means of isolation at
home. It is certain that before long the popular intelligence
will be educated to the point of insisting upon the
effectual isolation of all affected by any infectious disorder.
The result would be the saving of many lives
and the prevention of a great amount of human suffering.
Enteric Fever, caused 10 deaths, being much below the
average. Sixteen cases came under cognisance, and
where possible, were at once removed. Many other
cases doubtless occurred in the private practice of medical
men, of which no notice was received.
Erysipelas caused 10 deaths also. Puerperal Fever, a
cognate disease, caused the comparatively large number
of 8 deaths.
Scarlet Fever was fatal in 9 instances. This was until
the last few years the most formidable of all the zymotic
diseases, but the removal of cases where isolation was
not possible has for some time past almost suppressed its
manifestations.