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28
Measles have been most prevalent since December, each
succeeding month this year having increased, 39 of the 612
cases having proved fatal.
Scarlet Fever was most prevalent in July, when there were
20 cases, but it is very satisfactory to notice that out of 125
cases reported there has not been a single death.
Diphtheria has averaged 4 cases a month, the highest
number (8) was in January, and out of the 48 cases there have
been 9 deaths.
Erysipelas.—The highest number of cases was in May,
when there were 10, otherwise it has been about the rate of
5 a month, and no death has been reported as actually arising
from this disorder.
Enteric Fever.—There have been 18 cases and 6 deaths.
During the last three months, out of the 156 deaths that
occurred from bronchitis or pneumonia, only 21 were the
result of attacks that had followed upon Influenza, and these
were in a decreasing rate, viz :—11 in January, 9 in February,
and 1 in March.
The reports of the inspectors of St. Margaret's and St.
John's are appended to this report, and show that in St.
Margaret's 1,651 houses have been visited, and in St. John's
1643, making a total of 3,294. The details of the work done
is also shown.
In September a practical synopsis of the new Public
Health Act was laid before the Vestry to apprise them of the
important enlargement of their duties which Parliament had
entrusted to them. This report appears to have been of some
service in having led to a much needed re-organization of
the sanitary department, the requirements of which were set
out in the following manner:—
Extracts from Report, 23rd September, 1891.
This imperfect synopsis would be valueless without some practical
suggestions as to the organisation of a sanitary department, which
shall be equal to the duties henceforth to be expected of it. It will
be mere folly to attempt to meet these obligations with the two
inspectors now employed. The 94th section alone will give more
than sufficient work for one properly qualified man if the hundreds
of lodging-houses are to be systematically inspected at regular
intervals, not to speak of the heavy initial labour and constant
supervision afterwards in connection with the underground rooms.
Nor need I recapitulate the duties in relation to smoke, or to workshops,
or to disinfection, all of which are increased by this Act.