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68
theria, especially in cases brought under the influence of
the remedy not later than the second day of the disease.
Their final remark is, that " in antitoxin serum we possess
a remedy of distinctly greater value in the treatment of
diphtheria than any other with which we are acquainted."
The only bad effects observed from the injections was a rash
in 45 per cent. of the cases, secondary fever in 29-6 per
cent. of the cases ; and abscess at the site of the injection in
2.3 per cent. It seems doubtful whether the antitoxin injection
has any result, one way or the other, on the paralysis,
which is one of the commonest sequela) of diphtheria.
Small-pox.
There were 2 notifications of this disease, with no
deaths, as compared with 8 notifications and no deaths in
1894, and 28 notifications and 5 deaths in 1893. We must
congratulate ourselves on the almost entire absence of smallpox
from this District; but unless the vaccination laws are
carried out, we shall not be able to congratulate ourselves
long. However, I trust that the energetic action of our
Board will shortly ensure the law once more being enforced
in this District, as it has always been in past years.
The fearful outbreak of small-pox at Gloucester certainly
should be a warning to all those who profess disbelief in
vaccination. During the height of this outbreak Dr. Bond
reported to the Glouces er Board of Guardians that, "of the
366 persons recently attacked, 207 were not vaccinated at all ;
158 vaccinated only in infancy; and one revaccinated 14
years ago • and out of 81 deaths 70 were unvaccinated cases,
•/ O ' '
and 11 vaccinated only in infancy." Yet even at this very
time, and in the face of such a report as this, certain people
were getting up anti-vaccination meetings in this country!
Diseases of the Respiratory Organs.
The number of deaths from Phthisis show a decrease
of 21 on 1 u; previous year.
The total number of deaths from diseases of the