192
6. The attached diagrams show-
(a) The number of deaths which occurred each month under each of the groups referred to
above.
(b) The mean temperature for each month.
(c) The rain-fall for each month.
(d) The number of deaths registered during each month of the years 1887 to 1891 as also
the mean temperature and rainfall.
7. It will be observed that the number of deaths registered during 1891 is very considerably more than in 1889 and 1890 and that an increase appears under all the group headings except "throat affections" and "fevers."
8. The death rates for the year have been calculated from the figures obtained by the Census taken in May. The estimated monthly increase to the population is based on the average annual increase shown in the Registrar General's last Census report as having taken place between the years 1857 and
1891.
9. The number of deaths registered as occurring from infantile convulsive diseases and marasmus is more than a fourth of the total deaths registered during the year. The majority of the deaths registered as being caused by these diseases occurred during the first month of life and nearly all during the first year. This relatively large infantile mortality indicates insanitary conditions in the surround- ings, nursing, or treatment of the infants in some form.
10. The remarks made in last year's report having reference to the registration of the actual causes of death are still applicable inasmuch as no improvement, so far as the Chinese community is concerned, has taken place in this branch of death registration.
HEALTH DISTRICTS.
This
11. In addition to the daily routine work much time was taken up in acquiring the information which it was deemed necessary to obtain when the question of enforcing the common lodging house bye-laws was under consideration, and the amount of work done by the Inspectors in obtaining this information is shown in the tabular statements laid before the Board on the 6th November. work greatly interfered with the house-to-house inspection which it is necessary to make to complete the register of the sanitary condition of each house in the Colony which I mentioned in my last annual report. One hundred and thirty-six of more or less pronounced nuisances were dealt with during the year. This number does not include the many petty nuisances which the Inspectors have daily to speak to house-holders about.
12. Fifty-five cases of infectious disease have been reported during the year and in each case where they occurred on shore or in Chinese vessels, the necessary disinfection of the premises, bedding, clothing, &c., has been carried out as far as it is practicable to do so under present conditions. I stated in my last report that I would submit a special report on the subject of disinfecting infected premises. The matter has not been forgotten, but pressure of work has prevented me from dealing with the question thoroughly, and consequently I have been compelled to let it stand over; but I hope to be able soon to take the matter in hand.
CONTRACTS.
13. A tabular statement (E) is appended showing the number of men employed by each of the contractors as well as the estimated number of nightmen employed by house-holders in Victoria, and also the estimated quantities of night-soil, house refuse, trade refuse, street sweepings, &c., which were removed from Victoria, Hill, and Kaulung Districts during the year. On the whole, the various contractors have performed their work in a satisfactory manner. Some of the contracts expire at the end of the present year and others in the beginning of next year. On entering into the new contracts such amendments can be made to the conditions of the contracts as the experience gained during the past three years has shown to be desirable and necessary.
HUGH McCALLUM,
Sanitary Superintendent