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38
I annex, in a tabular form, the number of deaths from each form of Zymotic Disease, and
the death-rate per thousand per annum, for the last five years:—
1889
1888-9
1887-8
1880-7
1885-6
Typhus Fever...
none
1
(?)
none
none
none
Enteric ,,
4
.094
6
.139
6
.14
5
.12
7
.175
Scarlet ,,
2
.047
7
.148
14
.3
6
.142
8
.198
Fever (not defined)
1
.023
1
.024
none
none
none
Smallpox
none
none
none
none
7
.175
Measles
19
.41
17
.362
7
.15
24
.54
15
.37
Diphtheria
9
.2
1
.024
6
.14
2
.047
1
.025
Whooping Cough
23
.48
7
.147
3
.07
...
...
Diarrhoea
24
.5
30
.695
37
.84
44
.104
22
.69
Erysipelas
1
.023
...
...
...
...
Before leaving the question of Zymotic Diseases, I desire to call your attention to the
Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act, which came into operation in London on the 31st
October, 1889. Although it was only enforced in the Metropolis at that date, an Act, having
a similar purport, had been, in more than fifty cities and towns, sanctioned and carried into
effect by Local Acts.
The Act of 1889 was adopted by our Vestry by resolution, and steps were taken to provide
or the due carrying out of its requirements. Further notice and more extended details as to
its working will be reported after a more prolonged experience. In my next Annual Report I
hope to enter more fully into such details.
Perhaps it may be just as well to state that the diseases specified under the Act are smallpox,
cholera, diphtheria, membranous croup, erysipelas, scarlet fever, typhus, enteric (typhoid),
relapsing, continued, and puerperal fevers. Any Local Authority, after due notice, and with
the sanction of the Local Government Board, may add to this list.
The notifications are made almost invariably to your Medical Officer of Health by the
practitioner attending the patients, upon Forms supplied by the Vestry, although the Act
provides for a dual notification by parents, relatives or friends of patients.