HH62/2/SUTHER/19

Transcription

[Page] 18

This year (1891) is remarkable, in that no death occurred from
Diphtheria (only one case was notified in the year, and it recovered)
as compared to 1889, in which 7 deaths occurred, or at the rate of
32·9 per 100,000, and in the latter end of 1890 4 cases were notified
under the new Act, of which 2 died. So it is a disease which varies
from year to year in its distribution and virulence.
Scarlet Fever, of which 6 cases were notified in 1891, did not in
any case cause death. The cases in Forsinard district spread from
Caithness border.
Other Diseases. - Of Doubtful or Low Fevers several cases usually
occur, and especially in districts, some of whose inhabitants are run
down in bodily strength, from poverty of food, or living in overcrowded
houses, which are ill-roofed, damp, and dark with fœtid reeking
walls, and utterly insanitary.
Anæmia or Bloodlessnes in young people and Chronic Dyspepsia
in adults I have frequently observed to occur in the above-mentioned
circumstances, and it is often noticed by medical practitioners how
Anæmia not seldom runs on after a devious course into Consumption,
but clearly associated in the first instance with removable con-
ditions in dwelling-houses.
Intestinal Worms, particularly infesting children, have not
infrequently been observed by me in those districts which partially or
wholly depend on surface wells and shallow ponds for water supplies,
thus proving a causal connection between excreta polluted water and
these troublesome diseases.
From all this it can be gathered how some diseases are ever with
us, such as Phthisis. They are indigenous to the soil, while others
such as Influenza, Scarlet Fever, Measles, and Diphtheria, may be
and usually are imported; but once they get an entrance most of our
conditions are well fitted to give a secure footing and encouragement
to their growth and spread.
Some causes of death are to be ever looked for, such as the passive
sufferings attendant on declining age, and in the yet imperfect
method of cure, many diseases at all ages must be tolerated and
endured, but many more are capable most certainly of removal or at
least of prevention, either by obviating the inputting of their potent
causes or by the eliminating of the conditions on which their
reception and spread depend.
At this stage it may be profitable to consider in their PAROCHIAL
DISTRIBUTION some of the diseases which could be largely pre-
vented if only all the people had as much knowledge as scientific
doctors have of the causes of disease and the conditions necessary for
the maintenance and preservation of health.

MORTALITY AS TO AGE.
The Mortality among Children in 1891.—31 deaths occurred
under 1 year, and 15 between 1 and 5, making a death rate under

[Page] 19

1 year of 62·2 to the 1000 births. This rate varies from year to
year, for in 1889, under 1 year, it was 84·4 per 1000 births; and
while it is not so high at any time in country districts as compared
to manufacturing towns, yet it is too high, considering the increased
opportunities of nursing and attention children get in the country.

MORTALITY AS TO AGE.
MORTALITY IN CHILDREN ARRANGED IN ORDER OF PERCENTAGES.

[Table Inserted]

From table, it will be observed how there is in the county as
whole, a proportion of infant deaths under 1 year in 1891 in each
100 deaths which take place, to the extent of 8·9 per cent., and a
further proportion of 4·34 per cent. from 1 to 5 years, making a total
of 13·32 per cent. under 5 years of all deaths in 1891.
Arranging them in highest order downwards as to parish, Golspie
heads the list with 16·6 per cent. of its total deaths made up of
infants under age of 1 year. Strathy comes next with 15·3 per cent.;
Dornoch, 15·1 per cent.; Stoer, 13·1 per cent., &c., &c., Rosehall,
Kirkton, Assynt, Scourie, Lairg, Loth, and Rogart have no records
of deaths under 1 year.
Again, taking deaths at ages 0-5 years, Kildonan heads the list
with 22·5 per cent. of its total dead laid in the grave under the
age of 5 years. Dornoch (which includes Embo) is next with 21·2
per cent.; Stoer, 18·4 per cent.; Kinlochbervie, 18·1 per cent.; and

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