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130
Careful consideration of the two Tables shows that
Diphtheria has been present to an increased extent in
Paddington since the beginning of 1888, for whereas
the average annual number of deaths from Diphtheria
during the seven years 1881-87 was 25, in 1888 the
number was 75.
The epidemic has so far been limited to the Subdistrict
of St. Mary's, the number of deaths during the
year being 67, against an annual average of 18 during
the previous seven years; whereas in St. John's Subdistrict
the number of deaths (8) corresponds closely
with the annual average (7.3) for the previous seven
years.
To the first point of the enquiry, viz., whether
during the seven years 1881-87 Diphtheria was
endemic in any part of the Parish, the Tables give
but little support. Excluding Hampden Street and
Woodchester Street, in each of which the deaths were
6, in no street in the Parish did the deaths exceed,
and only in 7 did the deaths reach 3, during the septennium,
thus averaging less than 1 death in two
years. And even in the case of Hampden Street and
Woodchester Street, for three years out of the seven
there were no deaths from Diphtheria.
The streets in which 3 or more than 3 deaths
occurred during the septennium 1881-87 were:—
Clarendon Street 3 deaths.
Brindley Street 3 „
Woodchester Street 6 „
Hampden Street 6 „