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that our death-rate was 0.3 per 1000 (i.e., 3 per 10,000 population)
above the mean of the eight years, 1871-78. The few
extra deaths from "fevers" did not appreciably influence the
death-rate, as the excess was but small.
Amongst the deaths from 'fever' was one registered as
'typhus' which is very rare in this district. I, therefore, made
enquiries as to its origin, and found that it was an imported case,
the patient not being a resident, but he was brought home ill
and died here. A careful examination was also made of the
means of drainage, water supply, and general sanitary condition
of every house in which patients, suffering from typhoid fever
had lived, and also as to the milk supply, and I may say, to a
considerable extent, with negative results. In several cases it
was found that the word 'typhoid' was not used as synonymous
with 'enteric fever,' but as indicating a secondary fever arising
in the course of an inflammatory disease of the lungs or other
organs. The results of the enquiries may be briefly enumerated
as follows:—We received information of 93 cases in 73 houses,
either through the Registrar's returns, the relieving Officers, or
from persons requiring disinfection of their premises and bedding.
In seven houses, in which two or more cases happened, there
were defects in the drainage or water supply apparatus of two
only, the disease having apparently spread from one person to
another in the same way as scarlet fever or small-pox, and in
four out of the seven there was evidence to show that the disease
was imported. In one house, where the drains and water supply
apparatus were not defective, there were seven cases, which
occurred in the following order. The father, after a short illness,
showed decided symptoms or enteric fever on September 4th, and
was nursed at home by his wife and eldest daughter. After an
illness of 6 weeks he became convalescent, but shortly afterwards
suffered from a relapse. A few days after his first convalescence
his eldest daughter was attacked, then his wife, and subsequently
the other children, the last showing premonitory symptoms on
November 6th. All except the father were removed to the Fever