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Small pox. There has been no death from Small Pox,
nor has there been one during the dccennium, and no
case of the Disease has come to our knowledge since the
year 1887.
Outbreaks of the Disease have occurred, however,
three times in the decade, viz., in 1883, in 1884, and
again in 1887; in each of these out-breaks, two, three,
and four persons living in crowded neighbourhoods were
attacked. Hospital Isolation, Vaccination, and
Disinfection of infected houses, happily in every
instance, prevented the spread of the Disease.
Since 1887, there has been complete immunity from
Small Pox. This immunity is not, however, likely to
continue. We are face to face with an epidemic of the
Disease in the Metropolis, which may reach us at any
moment. If, as is to be feared, there are many
unvaccinated persons in our midst, and also a large
proportion of only partially vaccinated, Small Pox will
not be so readily arrested. The opposition to vaccination
is very strong and general, and in a coming and going
population, it is too often evaded altogether, the
safeguard being thought worse than the Disease. Of
one thing there can be no doubt, that unless Vaccination
is compulsory, there will be little protection against the
ravages of Small Pox in the future.
Measles. Measles was very prevalent in the months
of March, April, May and June, when 16 of the total
number of deaths occurred. The proportion of deaths
to existing cases, and an effectual control of the disease
can only be obtained by the adoption of measles as a
notifiable disease.
Scarlet Fever. In common with the Metropolis, scarlet fever
of an epidemic character prevailed during the year. It