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losis, the hereditary transmission and propagation of Insanity
by the marriages of chronic epileptics, of people who have
suffered from previous attacks of Insanity, and the intermarriage
of deaf mutes. It should also be widely made
known that alcoholism is responsible for 25 per cent, of all
male cases of Insanity admitted to our asylums—in addition
to its being a powerful agent in the production of vice and
crime.
The Births number 185; an increase over last year of 38.
Of these, the boys number 97, and the girls 88.
This gives a Birth-rate of 26.9 per 1,000, almost identical
with that of last year.
NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS SICKNESS.
Twenty-four cases of Infectious Sickness were notified
during the year, as compared with 40 in 1899. They are
classified as follows:—
Scarlet Fever 14
Erysipelas 4
Puerperal Fever 1
Enteric Fever 2
Diphtheria 3
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It is very satisfactory to be able to record such a fallingoff
in these cases, and speaks well for the Sanitary condition
of the district. Our population has increased considerably.
We have to do with a great many tenement houses and flats;
new people are constantly coming to reside in the district,
many from crowded districts of London; we have no
extraneous advantages, and yet are able to show a greatly
diminished number of Infectious cases. Indeed, from the
beginning of May until the middle of September, not a single
case of Notifiable Infectious Sickness was recorded.
Measles and Pneumonia were very prevalent in March.
In July there was an epidemic of fever, with sore throat and
acute gastro-abdominal symptoms, probably due to the great
heat and drought which prevailed at that time.
In the latter part of September, and during October,
November, and part of December, we had a mild epidemic of
Scarlet Fever to contend with. At one time it looked as
though this outbreak was likely to develop into dangerous
proportions. Amongst other precautions, and with the kind
assent of the School Authorities, I made two inspections of
the children at the Board Schools, and was much impressed