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20
Scarlatina has been for the past two years very
prevalent and correspondingly fatal. During the year
63 deaths occurred from this disease and its various
complications and sequelae; in the year 1879, 44 deaths
only having been registered. It is, however, satisfactory
to be able to state that towards the latter part of the
year the disease became much less prevalent, and there
is reason to believe that the epidemic of the last two
years has now come to an end.
Whooping cough was fatal in 43 instances, chiefly
during the colder months.
Measles caused death in 22 cases, being in almost
every instance complicated by some disease of the respiratory
organs, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
The other diseases of this class do not call for
special comment, their numbers being but small in so
large a population.
Other diseases.—From tubercular diseases, which
include Pulmonary Consumption, Hydrocephalus and
Atrophy, 248 deaths were registered. This exceeds the
number for 1879 by 81; an increase due, it is to be
feared, to the cold and wet weather which prevailed
during the year, and to the general poverty which
prevailed. Of these no less than 117 were under one
year of age, the majority being only a few weeks or
months of age, and fed by hand on more or less
improper food.
From diseases of the Respiratory Organs the large
number of 190 person died, these however being
exactly 81 less than during the preceding year. If the
mortality from this class of disease and those from