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only, such a low rate of mortality from diarrhoea has not
been recorded for many years: it was the result of the
generally low temperature that prevailed in the summer
months. The immediate causation of this infantile scourge
has never been clearly made out: it is hoped that the enquiry
delegated by the Local Government Board to their Inspector,
Dr. Ballard, will ultimately throw light on the subject.
Small-Pox.—Eight cases only of small-pox were recorded
during the year, viz.:—three in the district north of
Uxbridge Road, and five in the remainder of the parish south
of that road : two of the cases were imported. Six of the
sufferers were removed to Hospital; in one case removal
was not necessary, and in the remaining case, that of a
housekeeper at Hyde Park Gate, the patient left the parish.
This case led to a second in the same house, the only fatal
case in 1883, the sufferer having died in hospital. She was
a lady's maid, and evidently contracted the disease from the
housekeeper who had been visited, at her place of service,
and at the mistress's request, by a medical man, who formed
the opinion that she was not suffering from any infectious
complaint. Two days later, however, the patient called at
the doctor's house and he then recognised small-pox, told
her of the fact, and advised her to send to the parochial
authorities, on her return home, in order that she might
be removed to hospital. Unfortunately the doctor did not
communicate with the family nor with me, and the woman
left the house on the same day, for Hammersmith, it is alleged,
and in an omnibus, without saying one word about the nature
of her illness: she could not be traced. The lady's maid
stated in hospital, that the housekeeper had had spots
upon her body like her own, and the doctor, when questioned
admitted that the housekeeper was suffering from small-pox.
The lady's maid, doubtless, was infected before the diagnosis
in the first case was made, nevertheless it is to be regretted that
the doctor did not acquaint the lady of the house with the
nature of the illness, for there is no knowing what mischief