HH62/1/ABERD/57

Transcription

[Page] 56

has occurred. There has been only one case of erysipelas,
following an attack of influenza, in an old man over eighty.
Three cases of scarlet fever occurred at Cairndye, but they
were at once isolated and the diseaase did not spread. How
they originated was a puzzle, as there were no cases within
six or seven miles. Only two cases of typhoid have occurred
to my knowledge within three years, and one of these was
imported from Echt, and the other may have been con-
tracted by the patients in Aberdeen.
"Measles. - There was an epidemic of measles in this parish
in the autumn of 1889. In June of that year two cases
occurred at Meikle Midmar, which were isolated, and the
disease did not then get a hold of the parish; but, two
months thereafter, it spread from Cluny, and attacked all
the liable persons, causing one death from concurrent
pneumonia.
"Whooping Cough. - During the spring and summer of 1891
there was an epidemic of whooping cough, causing four
deaths.
"Influenza. - Midmar has been visited each time that in-
fluenza has been epidemic. Three deaths occurred during
the last outbreak.
"Phthisis. - I have had only one death from phthisis. I
have at present only one other case. He came into the parish
about a year ago, for his health." Tubercle in other forms
is very rare.
"The pure air," Dr. Lawson considers, "the good
water, the out-door agricultural life, the absence of the
press and stress of city life, the elevation of the district,
make the inhabitants more resistant to the attacks of epi-
demic disease, and more able to cope with it when it gains a
hold of their systems."

TARLAND, MIGVIE, COULL, AND LOGIE-COLDSTONE. - Dr. Alex-
ander reports:- "We have through the district some houses
in very bad condition. I have drawn the Inspector's atten-
tion to several. On the whole the working class is not well
housed."
Dr. Alexander draws attention to the condition of the
water supply and drainage of Tarland village, and the
condition of many of the houses, as also of the ashpits and
privies. He also comments on the want of a hospital for the
isolation and treatment of cases of infectious disease, the
want of which he has felt greatly. Aboyne, he considers,
would be the best centre.
During the past four years Dr. Alexander says he has
had in his practice about twenty cases of typhoid fever, and
six outbreaks of diphtheria, with a total of sixty cases.

[Page] 57

Scarlet fever broke out in two families during 1891.
Phthisis, according to Dr. Alexander, is very prevalent in
this district.
The epidemic of influenza was very severe in this, as in
many other parts of Deeside, during last year.

The Tables in the Appendix, prepared from the returns
furnished by the Registrars, show the mortality statistics in
this and other districts of the County.