APPENDIX 



287 



Table of Deaths returned as being due to Hydatid Disease in the 

 Province of Victoria during the ten years 186777. 



Such are the returns as recorded by Dr Thomas. If a com- 

 parison be instituted between the data supplied by his decade- 

 report and those supplied by the decade-report which I have 

 previously adduced (p. 123), it will be seen that as regards the 

 returns for the years 1868-72, inclusive, both reports are in 

 perfect agreement. Of still more interest also is the circum- 

 stance that whilst, on the one hand, out of the total of 307 

 deaths given in Dr Thomas's table, 116 occurred during the 

 first semi-decade (i.e. from 1868 to 1872, inclusive), on the other 

 hand, no less than 181 deaths occurred during the second semi- 

 decade (i.e. from 1873 to 1877, inclusive). This increase of 45 

 deaths during the later semi-decade is very significant. It 

 points either to the fact of more careful returns having been 

 made, or to an actual increase in the fatality of the disorder. 

 Possibly both the causes alluded to operated to affect the 

 returns. Be that as it may, Dr Thomas's record is highly 

 instructive, and should stimulate the profession in England to 

 supply our Registrar- General with more precise data wherewith 

 to construct his annual reports. 



