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83
FEVER.
The deaths referred to Fever generally, amounted to 56. This is
rather above the recorded deaths of the three previous years, which
were 49, 39 and 48 respectively.
DIARRHŒA.
During 1889 170 deaths were ascribed to Diarrhœa, as against 146
in 1888, 291 in 1889, 307 in 1886, and 191 in 1885. In July, August
and September, (when the cases were the most fatal), the numbers
respectively were 76, 30 and 31 deaths.
"NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE."
The "Infectious Disease Notification Act," is the great sanitary
event of the year. Whilst it has materially increased the work of your
Sanitary Department, one is convinced it is a most important step in
the right direction. In London its adoption was made compulsory, but it
is noteworthy, that in country districts, where it is optional to the sanitary
authority to adopt it, 766 out of 1,500 sanitary districts in England and
Wales have done so. This means, practically, that the Act has been
made to apply to three-fourths of the inhabitants of England and
Wales. The difficulties raised by the opponents of the Act have gone,
as we knew they would. It was said (1) that the Act would be a
burden on the conscience of the Doctor and a violation of the traditional
confidential relations supposed to exist between patient and medical
adviser. It was further said (2) that the Act would lead to the concealment
of disease rather than its discovery, since, if a tradesman
had a case of infectious disease in his house, he would think twice
before he summoned a medical man, for fear of publicity. The latter
difficulty was imaginary (for all such communications are treated
as confidential), whilst as to the former, be it noted, that the medical
profession have fully accepted the system of notification as one great
means for preventing the spread of disease. The thanks of the Vestry
are due to the medical men of Islington, for the loyal manner thej
have assisted the Sanitary Authority in carrying out the Act.