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in the proper management of children and their feeding is a
most important factor in the causation of the disease. Very
frequently the parent believes that a bottle of medicine is
sufficient to cure the symptoms, and is quite oblivious of the
fact that one of the factors in the illness is improper feeding,
and until that is remedied the disease will persist. Even with
care, the difficulty of keeping milk sweet in a warm dry summer
is considerable. Dust and various other things laden with germs
are liable to be deposited in the milk. Although it may seem
unnatural to rejoice in a moist summer, there can be no doubt as
to the beneficial influence of an excessive rainfall. The total
amount of yearly rainfall bears no direct relation to the
mortality ; the prevalence of the disease is more closely related
to the number of rainy days in July, August and September.
In this respect, last year, on the whole, was a favourable one.
TUBERCULAR DISEASES.
Deaths 74. Rate 1.5 per 1,000.
Forty-three deaths were due to Phthisis or Consumption,
this number being equal to a rate of .86 per 1,000
inhabitants.
Thirty-one deaths were due to other Tubercular Diseases.
In June, 1902, arrangements were made for the voluntary
notification of Consumption, the sum of 2s. 6d. being paid for
each case notified. The result has been unsatisfactory, and
five notifications only were received during the year. Even
partial information is of some value, and it is hoped that in time
the public will appreciate the fact that it is a preventable disease,
and that the medical practitioner will not be subjected to odium
when he notifies.
On the receipt of a notification, inquiries were made and
instructions given as to the management of the infective
material, &c. The Council also recognised that, as in the early