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2
Amongst the Zymotic diseases of this quarter scarlet fever
has been severe—24 cases, nearly all children, have succumbed to
it—this number probably represents 240 or 250 attacked in the
three months. Last quarter not a single death from this disease
was registered in the parish, although it was epidemic in most of
the Eastern districts. This epidemic has been travelling Westward
in the metropolis for the last 12 months; and it is some consolation
to observe that measles and whooping cough disappeared
from our list of deaths on its approach ; not one case of the latter
will be found amongst the deaths, and one only of measles.
Cold an enemy to Public Health.
It will be observed from Table II. that the deaths show an
increase during the last weeks of December. From 10 to 18 deaths
weekly in excess were registered from the inflammatory diseases
of the respiratory organs alone—bronchitis and pneumonia—the
mean temperature of the air during that period was 34.6, a
little above freezing, and for many days below that point.
This cold proved a very deadly enemy to old persons—large
numbers of whom reside in the wealthy district of St. John's.
During several weeks the deaths registered were actually above
the births; a most unusual circumstance, which I believe had
never before happened in this Parish.

(1) Elood Poisoning. (2) Low Fever. (3) 8 are Cases of Croup.