APPENDIX 341 



that, in every direction, sanitation has made rapid 

 progress in Great Britain. l 



If, by observing such rules as those specified, we can 

 keep in check the obnoxious microbes in water and 

 food, it is not such an easy matter to deal with those 

 present in the atmosphere. 2 But even aereal microbes 

 (those spirits of the air) may be, to a large extent, 

 kept in check by the use of disinfectants. 



XI. STATISTICS CONCERNING ZYMOTIC DISEASES. 



The Quarterly Report of the Registrar-General, relating 

 to the deaths in England and Wales from zymotic 

 diseases, gives the following figures : 



5202 deaths from whooping-cough. 

 2769 measles. 



1306 



1078 



1361 



890 



76 



diphtheria. 



scarlatina. 



diarrhoea. 



'fever '(chiefly enteric). 



small-pox. 



The above figures give a total of 12,682 deaths from 

 zymotic diseases during the first three months of 1892. 



1 For those interested in sanitary matters, the author recom- 

 mends Dr. A. C. May bury 's excellent Epitome of the Public 

 Health Act, 1891 (H. Kimpton, 82 Holborn, London). 



2 As microbes are always present in air, soil, and water, it 

 may well be asked, ' Where do they come from ? ' We know 

 not where ; perhaps from the djinnistan of the Persians. 



Y2 



