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4
Preventable Diseases.
The seven principal zymotic diseases—viz., small-pox,
measles, scarlet fever, diptheria, whooping congh, fever, and
diarrhoea, caused 156 deaths, at the rate of 2.46 per 1,000
of the population.
The proportion of deaths from zymotic diseases to 1,000
deaths from all causes in the ten years —1868 to 1877—was
in London 184.1, in England and Wales 168.4, and in this
district 162.8.
Small-pox has caused 5 deaths. The annual average
for the past 10 years—1868 to 1877—having been 2.8.
Measles.— The annual average mortality for the past
10 years from measles has been 16.7. This year the mortality
from measles has amounted to 13.
Scarlet Fever.—32 deaths have taken place from
scarlet fever. The annual average for the last 10 years
having been 32.2.
Diphtheria.—8 deaths took place from diphtheria;
the annual average for the last 10 years having been 7.3.
Whooping Cough.—47 deaths took place from this
cause during the year 1878; the annual average for the last
10 years having been 22.3.
Fever.—10 deaths took place from this cause ; the
annual average of 10 years having been 19 5.
Diarrhoea.—41 deaths took place from diarrhoea ; the
annual average number for the last ten years having
been 36.1.
Water Supply.
The purity of the water supplied by the water companies
is of little importance, if the cisterns for storing the water
are kept in a foul state from connection between the overflow
pipe and the water-closet or drain, or from neglect to place
the cistern in a proper and accessible situation, so that it may
be frequently inspected and frequently cleansed.
The Board of Trade regulations relative to waste pipes
provide that no overflow or waste pipe other than a warning
pipe shall be attached to any cistern supplied with water by