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period of about three weeks. The Schools were in the meantime fumigated and
cleaned. The death of an infant occurred in this district.
Scarlet Fever.—There has been no death recorded from Scarlet Fever
since 1893.
Diphtheria.—There were two deaths from Diphtheria, and two from
Membranous Croup, all of these of children under 5 years of age. Fumigation and
disinfection of the four houses in which these cases occurred was performed and
there was no further case in either house.
Whooping Cough caused six deaths, all of children under 5 years of age,
and all with some Pulmonary complication. I have before observed that this always
distressing malady is not sufficiently appreciated by parents, who in very many
instances pay scant attention to an ailment which they deem at once inevitable and
seldom dang'erous. The most commonly fatal termination is from some disease of
the respiratory organs. These secondary diseases cannot always be prevented ;
but the occurrence of Bronchitis or Pneumonia, for instance, is often owing to want
of care in the management of the sufferers. The children, it may be, are not, as they
should be, confined to the house. They catch colds and coughs, and medical treatment
is often enough not sought until they are obviously very ill and too frequently
beyond the reach of help.
Enteric Fever was the cause of one death, although twelve cases of this
disease were notified under the Act. Many of these were of a mild character. The
Company's water was laid on, with one exception, to each house in which the disease
occurred. The water drawn from the well in this instance proved on analysis to be
good. There was nothing deficient in the sanitary conditions of any house to
account for the disease. In two cases the origin of the disease was assigned to the
eating of oysters. Three of the cases were treated in St. John's Hospital and made
good recoveries.
Puerperal Fever was the cause of three deaths. Disinfection and
destruction of articles, where desirable, was executed, compensation being given
when recommended.
Inquests.—Ten Inquests have been held during the year.
3 from Pneumonia.
3 from Apoplexy.
3 Accidental :
1 from injuries received by being crushed between the buffers
of two coal waggons.
1 killed by a horse.
1 from shock following a compound fracture of leg.
1 Suicidal: by hanging.
Eight of the above bodies were removed into the Mortuary.