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9
enjoys a good appetite—when suddenly, about the fourteenth day
from 1 he common cement of the disease, a relapse occurs, and the
fever runs the same Course, but generally terminates earlier than
the first attack. Of course there are variations of these febrile
symptoms. In your own District at least one case occurred in
which there was a second relapse.
As this disease is highly contagious, means were taken to obtain
from the Relieving Officers and the earliest information of
its outbreak in the different localities of the District, and whenever
possible the patients were removed to the Hospital at Hampstead,
specially provided to meet the emergency. All bedding and
clothing likely to carry the seeds of the disease was destroyed,
and the rooms thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. It may be
fairly presumed that these measures materially contributed in
limiting its ravages, and it is satisfactory to know that only one
death is recorded, in this District. as caused Relapsing Fever.
Yon will observe from the statistical tables which I have the
honour to submit to your perusal and consideration, that there
has been total increase of 72 deaths from Zymotic diseases.
Only 1 death is recorded from Small Pox, and 19 from Typhus;
but Measles and Scarlet Fever have been more fatal than during
the preceding year.
The death-rate was higher among persons under 20 years of
age and above 60; and lower among those between the ages of
20 and 60.
The births in the District exceeded the deaths by 222, and for
the first time there were more of each in Christchurch than in
St. Saviour's.
Thirty-seven Coroner's inquisitions were held during the year.
These cases represent deaths from sudden, violent, or accidental
causes.
The Workhouse has maintained its character for healthiness
during the year; the mortality was a little higher than in the
year preceding, but the increase was proportionately less than in
that of the rest of the District. In my last Report I referred to
the proposed scheme of building an Asylum for the sick poor of
the parishes comprised in the Sick Asylum District. That
intention has been since abandoned, and arrangements are being
made to utilise the three existing Workhouses for classification
of the inmates.
The want of cleanliness among the poor, and the over-crowding
of their dwellings, are still among the greatest difficulties with
which Sanitary Officers have to contend. During the recent