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section 68 of the Act, which is a provision of ensuring proper precautions
being taken by persons suffering from dangerous infectious disease, or by
those who are in charge of persons so suffering, for the prevention of the spread of
infection.
The Vestry were of opinion that for the purposes of Sectipn 68 " measles " should
be regarded as a dangerous infectious disease, and supported the request of the
London School Board.
WHOOPING COUGH.
Whooping cough was prevalent in Shoreditch during the first six months of the
year, only six deaths occurred in the last six months.
The deaths attributed to this disorder numbered 97, as compared with 60 in
1897, 115 in 1896, 83 in 1895, and 86 in 1894. With three exceptions all the deaths
were of children under five years of age. As in the case of measles, complications,
especially bronchitis and pneumonia were, in the majority of instances, the
immediate cause of death. Like measles, whooping cough requires careful attention
and treatment, especially during the earlier stages of the disease.
The death-rate from whooping cough for 1898 was 0.80 per 1,000 inhabitants, as
compared with 0.49 in 1897, 0.94 in 1896, 0.67 in 1895, 0.70 in 1894, and 0.54 in
1893.
The deaths in the metropolis attributed to this disorder during the year numbered
2,160, and the death-rate was 0.48 as compared with 0.41 for last year.
INFLUENZA.
The deaths attributed to influenza numbered 22, most of which occurred during
the first three months of the year, as compared with 16 in 1897, 7 in 1896, 57 in
1895, 15 in 1894, and 36 in 1893. In several cases complications principally
bronchitis and pneumonia, preceded the deaths.
The deaths from influenza registered in the metropolis during 1898 numbered
1,283, as compared with 671 in 1897. The deaths in london were most numerous
during the months of January, February and March, the maximum for any month being
attained in February, when 368 deaths occurred. The numbers gradually declined as
the summer advanced, until a minimum was reached in September, when 17 deaths
were recorded. The numbers then rose gradually during the remainder of the year.
TUBERCULAR DISEASES.
The diseases grouped under the above heading (see Appendix table XXIX.)
caused 342 deaths during the year; 236 were attributed to phthsis or consumption, 35 to
tabes mesenterica, 32 to tubercular meningitis, and 39 to other forms of tuberculosis.