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76 Medical Officers of Health Annual Report.
Small Pox.
No case of this disease occurred during the
year under report.
Measles.
The mortality from this disease was much
higher than during the preceding vear, 28
deaths being recorded, 26 at home and two in hospital.
It will, however, be remembered that during 1897 the
mortality was remarkably low. Measles not being a
disease notifiable under sec. 54 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, the mortality is the only means of
judging as to the prevalence of the disease. This disease
was one of the principal contributors to the total deaths
from Zymotic diseases.
Scarlet Fever.
This disease was less prevalent during the
year under report than in the previous year.
The cases coming under notice numbering 187 compared
with 215 during the year 1897. Those removed to
isolated hospitals numbered 123, of which 5 proved fatal.
This, however, is a very low proportion indicating a
mild type of the disease.
Diphtheria and
Membranous
Croup.
These diseases were slightly more prevalent
than in the preceding year, 182 cases occurring
compared with 164 during the preceding
year. The mortality was, however, lower, 23 deaths
being recorded (6 at home and 17 at hospital), compared
with 26 during 1897. Hospital isolation was
provided in 126 instances.
Typhoid Fever.
During the last few years the prevalence of
this disease has been decreasing, as the
following will indicate:—1898, 29; 1897, 26; 1896, 27;
1895, 36.
A slight increase, however, occurred during the
year under report. Fourteen of the cases were removed
to hospital. Five deaths were recorded during the year
from this disease.