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54
MEASLES.
There were 48 deaths noted, compared with 15, 31 and 3, in 1912-11-10.
This number of deaths is equal to a death-rate from measles of 0.72 per 1,000
living. Eleven occurred in the first-age period (under one year), 20 in the second
age (one and under two years), 9 in the third-age (two and under five), and
eight over five years of age. All occurred in the first seven months of the year.
In January this disease was epidemic in the district, especially affecting the
infant departments at the National, Raynham Road and Silver Street schools.
It began at the end of September, 1912, at the Eldon Road school, and by the
end of January had worked its way south until all the schools were affected
thereby. No schools were closed, but the infant departments were thoroughly
disinfected. Several hundreds of special leaflets re measles were distributed by
the Woman Inspectors, who visited the families attacked.
WHOOPING COUGH.
There were nine deaths from this cause, as compared with 23, 15 and 9, in
1912-11-10. This is equal to a death-rate from the disease of 0.14 per 1,000
living. All the deaths occurred amongst children under 15 years of age—none
in the first-age period, 4 in the second, 3 in the third, and 2 in the fourth.
Eight occurred in the first six months of the year.
INFLUENZA.
Seven deaths were registered from this cause, compared with 4, 3 and 3 for
1912-11-10. Two persons were over 65 years of age, and the others were beween
15 and 25 years old. Five were females.
VENEREAL DISEASES.
Syphilis. Three deaths were recorded as due to this disease; one of
these was an infant under one year of age.
Gonorrhoea. No deaths from this disease are recorded.
As I have observed in previous Annual Reports, nothing is more misleading
than the death returns of these diseases, and it will be so, until arrangement is
made for medical practitioners to send their certificates of death direct to the
Registrar. Meanwhile, the deaths really due to these causes are to be sought
under such headings as "locomotor ataxy," "stricture of urethra," "general
paralysis of the insane," etc.