Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 88

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7. The practice of dumping is carried out as frequently with male as with female children.

8. Of the 45 per cent. of bodies dumped or found in the streets, etc., only 4 per cent. are under 2 weeks of age, while 96 per cent. are over 2 weeks and under

years of age.

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9. Children under 2 weeks of age only account for 22 per cent. of the total number of autopsies.

10. Children over 2 weeks of age and under 2 years of age account for 78 per cent. of the number of post-mortem examinations.

11. With Convent children there is little difference in regard to age. The largest number is over 2 weeks of age.

12. The largest number of deaths is grouped under the arbitrary title of "Marasmus"—a term employed to include a gradual and premature degeneration of the tissues, excited by a host of different agents. It is a term used to include the conditions met with in prematurely born infants about the 26-31 week, in children of full term with profuse hæmorrhage soon after birth, in congenital syphilis, after the acute specific infectious diseases, and possibly after Selerma neonatorum. During the infant's further existence, it frequently asserts itself through defective nourishment or disturbances in intestinal assimilation.

The largest number of cases occurs after the age of 2 weeks.

In those occurring earlier, the root of the umbilical cord has been frequently examined. Hoards of mico-organisms are found. In no case has the B. tetani been isolated.

13. The other diseases most frequently met with are Broncho-pneumonia, Diarrhoea, Plague, Inanition and Tubercular Infections, and the lesions determining the diagnosis here occurred most frequently in children over 2 weeks of age.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

The Honourable

J. M. ATKINSON, M.B.,

Principal Civil Medical Officer,

fc., &c.,

&c.

WILLIAM HUNTER.