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Authorities in 1881 having been unanimous, and there being no reason for
supposing that thoso views have undergone any change. The Vestry think,
therefore, that it will suffice, should your Board be pleased to pass a Resolution
re-affirming the necessity for Compulsory Notification, to forward same to
the Local Government Board.
I shall feel obliged, if you will kindly let me know, in due course, for the
information of the Vestry, what action shall have been taken by your Board in
the matter.
I am, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
GEORGE CAPPER HARDING,
Clerk to the Vestry.
A Spocial Committee was appointod to consider the subject, and,
after discussion, it was decided to recommend tho Vestry to support
the Kensington proposal; but, when the report of the Special
Committee was brought up, the Board declined to take any action
in the matter. I very much deplore this determination, since,
without early and accurate information of the whereabouts of cases
of infectious disease, it is almost impossible to check epidemics.
Moreover, tho opinion, that steps in this direction are necessary, is
shared by the great majority of the Metropolitan Sanitary Authorities,
who, with a few exceptions, have forwarded resolutions,
requesting tho President of tho Local Government Board to bring
in a Bill to provide for compulsory notification.
DIPHTHERIA.
(Decennial average, 12.9).
Diphtheria was the registered cause of twenty-six deaths; but,
as fifty others were recorded under tho head of Croup, and, as these
diseases are regarded, by high medical authorities, as identical, the
deaths under tho two headings must be read together.
WHOOPING COUGH.
(Decennial average, 43.97).
Whooping Cough caused 101 deaths, equal to about two-thirds
of the mortality of 188G. The disease was prevalent during the
greater portion of the year. The mortality was below the average
during the first four months, but in June it rose, and the exccss
continued to tho end of tho year.