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110
cases of diphtheria occurring in the parish were
associated with a much larger number that were
not fatal, and never came to our knowledge. It is
well known that, serious and fatal as diphtheria is
apt to be, it is often a very mild disease, and hence
apt to be overlooked—a matter of some importance,
when we consider that the mild cases spread
disease as well as such as are severe. I may add
that, considering that the chief mortality from
diphtheria in the parish occurred away from such
nuisances as Dr. Ure was inclined to attribute the
disease to, I see no sufficient reason to adopt his
suggestion as to its causation. The nuisance however
of which he complained was remedied at the
time of his complaint, otherwise I might have been
disposed to discuss the matter at greater length.
In concluding this part of my report, I may
remark that, apart from the undue prevalence of
three or four of the zymotic diseases to which I
have called special attention, the health of the
Parish, as shewn both by the death-rates and by the
character of the mortality, has been particularly
good.
When my last report was issued, the report
of the Commission appointed to enquire respecting