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room of a public dispensary, but had also been to one of the largest
and most crowded of our parochial schools, while other members of
the same family, and out of the same room, had been in the other
departments of the same school, which moreover I found on inspection
to be in a very unsanitary condition. I am doing what I can
to prevent the recurrence of such a case by putting the teachers of
schools on their guard; and, mindful of the steps which the School
Board for London took, on our suggestion last year, with a view to
to prevent the spread of the malady through the medium of Board
Schools, I addressed the Clerk to the Board lately, stating the facts
as they are known in this parish, and urging a repetition of the
precautions adopted last year; and I have had the satisfaction of
receiving a communication from that gentleman to the effect that
" the notices on the subject of scarlet fever, issued to the respective
teachers in the autumn of last year, will be re.issued to the teachers
by the time the various schools commence their work, after the
summer holidays."
Before concluding my remarks on this subject, I may mention
that I availed myself of the opportunity afforded by sending the
circular letter to medical men to place in their hands the " Suggestions
for preventing the spread of infectious diseases," and other
sanitary notices, pointing out that copies were always available for
the use of their patients; asking their co.operation in aid of the
efforts which it is at all times my duty to make, with a view to
arrest the spread of infectious diseases, urging the importance
of isolation of the sick, and the propriety of sending patients
to the hospital when the home accommodation does not allow
of isolation; offering the services of your sanitary staff in all
such cases, and explaining the arrangements made for the disinfection
of clothing, etc., in the absence of a public disinfecting chamber.
It, of course, remains to be seen to what extent the epidemic will
grow, and judging by past experience the disease may during this
year and the next be expected to prove fatal above the average, but
come what may I have the satisfaction of knowing that no means
have been spared, or will be, which it is in the power of your
Vestry to adopt with a view to arrest its progress.
Diphtheria.—This disease was the cause of 26 deaths (Town,
24; Brompton, 2), an increase of 15 over 1873—entirely in the
Town sub.district. The deaths under five years were 14.
Whooping Cough.—The mortality from this complaint was 45,
in the Town sub.district 36, a,nd in Brompton 9. The deaths
under five were 44.
Fever.— Typhus, was fatal in 9 cases, all in the Town sub.
district. The number in the previous year was 6—all likewise in
the Town.
Enteric Fever.—The registered deaths from this disease were
28—viz., 19 in the Town and 9 in Brompton. The numbers in
1873 were 19 and 8 respectively. The term Typhoid is often
employed to designate this disease, and leads to error in the
tabulation of the mortality returns. I have good reason to