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6
SCARLET FEVER.
5 deaths have been caused by Scarlet Fever. Last year I mentioned
that we had an epidemic for 2 years and now I am happy to
say that at last it has worn itself out, as there have been very few
cases and only I death since last June.
WHOOPING COUGH.
During the first half of the year there were many cases of this
disease and 8 deaths were caused by it. I can only repeat what I
have said on many previous occasions, give up the old foolish plan of
sending your children out in all weathers as a means of cure. It is
exposure which causes the greatest number of deaths.
DIPHTHERIA AND MEMBRANOUS CROUP.
I am happy to say that there have not been nearly so many
cases this year, and they have not been so virulent. 5 deaths have
been registered, 4 of which occurred in April. I also think that the
lower mortality is due to the fact that most parents recognize the
necessity of at once sending for the doctor when a child has a sore
throat. Antitoxin is thus used early and the results are invariably
satisfactory. Antitoxin is still supplied by the Council free of cost
to all Medical men for use in the district.
TYPHUS FEYER.—None.
ENTERIC FEYER.
Again this year there has been only one death from this disease
and I must congratulate the Council upon this fact for it is the
greatest proof of the care and attention which is given to sanitation.
DIARRHŒA.
For the first time in the sanitary history of Brentford there has
been no epidemic of Diarrhoea. In the past it has been a rare thing
to have less than 20 deaths per annum. This year I have only 1 to
record in July. It is most satisfactory and I hope it may continue
for I think it conclusively proves that nearly all cases are preventable
and are due to neglect of the simplest rules of diet. Last year there
was no hot weather cousequently the milk did not go sour and feeding
bottles did not require so much care.
The number of deaths from these 8 zymotic diseases has been
33 and the zymotic death rate is two per thousand which is 1.7
lower than last year and 1.1 lower than the average of the last 10
years.
The following tables shows the number of births and deaths
and the various birth and death rates for the last 10 years.