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59
Syphilis.
99. There were 10 deaths from syphilis, compared with 8, 14,
and 14 in the three preceding years. Four of these occurred in
the Workhouse Infirmary, and one in outlying institutions. Nine
were males and one a female; six were infants under five years.
There were in addition 14 deaths (19 in 1905) from general
paralysis and tabes dorsalis (loco-motor ataxy), diseases which are
now considered to be usually due to syphilis.
These figures are far from representing the total mortality
caused by this disease.
Meteorology.
(See Table VIII.).
100. The first or winter quarter of the year was comparatively
warm, and therefore favourable to health; it had eight weeks
with an average temperature above the normal and five below.
The spring quarter had four weeks above the normal temperature
and nine below.
The summer quarter had seven weeks above the average and
six below; its average temperature was higher than in any year
since 1900 (see also under Zymotic Enteritis). The autumn
quarter had nine weeks above the average and four below, the
three last weeks of the year being exceptionally cold. These
three weeks had the highest mortality of any three weeks in the
year. The lowest temperature, 22·3, occurred in the last week of
the year, and the highest, 94·3, occurred in the week ending the
1st September. The rainfall, 22·41, was below the average, the
deficiency being specially in the summer quarter. Altogether,
the year was an average one as regards the effect of the weather on
health, the warm summer being particularly prejudicial, but the
winter on the whole being favourable. The largest number of
deaths, 59, took place in the week ending December 22nd, and
the smallest number, 16, in the week ending July 7th.