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The age mortality was as follows:—Under one year, 87 ; one year
and under five, 46; five and under fifteen, 13; fifteen and under
twenty-five, 11; twenty-five and under sixty-five, 61; sixty-five and
upwards, 29.
Infantile Mortality.—The deaths of children under five years of
age numbered 133, including the deaths of 87 infants under the age
of one year. During the year 1896 the mortality amongst children
under five was 144, including 80 under the age of one year; there is
therefore a decrease of 11 in the present year.
The infantile mortality, measured in the proportion of deaths to
1,000 births, was 167, as compared with 149 in 1896.
Zymotic Diseases.—The number of deaths due to the principal
zymotic diseases was 36, equal to a rate of 2'3 per 1000, a decrease of
9 in comparison with 45 deaths from these ailments in 1896. They
comprised—Scarlet Fever, 4; Diphtheria, 4 ; Membranous Croup, 1 ;
Typhoid Fever, 4; Measles, 18; Puerperal Fever, 2; and Whooping
Cough, 3.
Respiratory Diseases.—Forty deaths were caused by diseases of
the Respiratory Organs, a rate of 2.6 per 1000, a decrease of 2.3 on
the mortality of 1896 from these causes.
Thirteen deaths were attributed to Consumption of the Lungs;
8 deaths were due to accidental causes, inquests being held in each
case.
Infectious Sickness.—The total number of Notifications received
throughout the year amouted to 197, against 337 in 1896, a very gratifying
decrease of 140. The diseases notified were—Scarlet Fever, 77 ;
Diphtheria, 11 ; Membranous Croup, 4 ; Typhoid Fever, 28; Continued
Fever, 2 ; Puerperal Fever, 9 ; and Erysipelas, 66.
Scarlet Fever.—This complaint displays a marked diminution in
the number of cases notified—only 77 cases against 197 in the previous
year.
Four fatal results were recorded. As stated in my last annual
report, this disease is exhausting itself on all the available material
in the district; in the absence of hospital accommodation, efficient
isolation is impossible.
Diphtheria.—Eleven cases notified against 31 in 1896. Four
deaths occurred. Dampness of houses and sub-soil were the chief
causes of the outbreaks.
Membranous Croup.—Four cases notified, with one death.
Typhoid Fever.—Subjoined is a table giving a brief sketch of the
cases:—