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10
present. From a careful investigation of the whole case, including
a history of the man's symptoms derived from his daughter, I have
arrived at the conclusion I have indicated.
Last year, in inviting your special attention to Table O, wherein
is set out, as I have said, the principal zymotic diseases, I asked
you to remember that "there are seasons when certain diseases
are prone to become epidemic, and other years when such diseases
are comparatively absent. Scarlet Fever in 1890 appeared in 237
cases, and in 1891 only 102 cases were reported." I regret to
report that during last year 533 cases were dealt with by your
Officers. Altogether 1153 cases of zymotic disease were separately
investigated, and disinfected, after either removal to hospital, or
after recovery when the patients were treated at home. You will
thus readily understand that the additional Inspector, whom you
so willingly placed at my disposal, had very little time to devote to
other matters. With a less efficient staff it would have been
impossible to battle with the enormous amount of work which had
to be undertaken; but with the hearty co-operation of my fellowworkers,
the labour has been with us all, one of enthusiasm and
success. This work has often necessitated continuously long hours
of application, but your Inspectors have always cheerfully seconded
every suggestion I have made in the interests of the District.
That all necessary assistance is at once given by the Board I must
gratefully acknowledge. Towards the close of the year I requested
to be furnished with an apparatus whereby articles could be disinfected
with super-heated steam. This request was immediately
met by the formation of a Committee to select the best machine
in the market. After a painstaking inquiry, your Committee
recommended the machine known as " Goddard, Massey and
Warner's disinfecting apparatus." The recommendation was
unanimously adopted by your Board, and I trust before this Report
is placed in your hands, the District will have the advantage of a
disinfecting appaatus of a most practical and efficient description.
As a matter germane to the question of disinfection, it is fitting
that I should record the decision arrived at by your Board, to
enlarge the existing works concerned in the destruction of houserefuse
by fire. At a considerable cost new cells are to be added,
so that the entire refuse from houses within the District may be