408 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Other diseases, as beriberi, pellagra, cholera, yellow fever, starvation 

 fever, have not yet shown themselves. True dysentery is, like ague, im- 

 ported in the person of the sufferer and is not acquired in the colony. 



The only epidemic diseases which trouble us are scarlet fever, typhoid, 

 measles, diphtheria, croup, whooping-cough and influenza. Of these, scarlet 

 fever epidemics are usually mild. Diphtheria is very common and fatal, as 

 elsewhere. Typhoid, sometimes recognized and very often not, goes by 

 many names, e.g., colonial fever, low fever, gastric or bilious fever, blood 

 poisoning, swamp fever, etc. It is a pity that this disease is not called by the 

 graphic name " filth " fever. It spreads so much because New Zealand 

 colonists have scant objection to drinking diluted sewage or having reeking 

 cesspits either directly under or close to their houses. Of this disease no 

 more need be said ; deaths and illness from it should not be charged against 

 the climate or soil, but rather to the folly of the people. 



Chest diseases. — Of all our diseases, phthisis is the worst, the most deadly. 

 It is more prevalent and severe in the cold wet south than in the drier 

 hotter north. Phthisical immigrants, whether in the north or south, in- 

 variably receive great benefit, and many are perfectly cured. As the 

 immense majority of these immigrants come from Great Britain they find 

 the climate most mild and soothing. Their coughs grow easier and less 

 frequent ; they gain weight and strength, and even those who are not cured 

 almost invariably have their lives much prolonged. 



The deaths from phthisis are high, partly because British physicians 

 strongly recommend these patients to try our climate ; but as against this 

 increase we must put on record the fact that thousands of people were 

 imported at public expense and from these many thousands all phthisics 

 were excluded. 



Among the New Zealand born, however, phthisis is rife and very fatal. 

 Young colonists when attacked nearly always die. 



Cardiac affections appear in the same proportions as in Great Britain. 



Liver affections, so prevalent in tropical climates, are here unknown. 

 The commonest form of liver disease is cirrhosis arising from abuse of 

 alcohol. 



Nervous disorders. — All forms exist except perhaps two or three of the 

 rarer kinds. Insanity prevails largely ; but statistics are not trustworthy, 

 because the unfortunate practice long prevailed in this colony of sending to 

 the asylums all persons suffering from delirium tremens, a class of cases 

 which at home are treated in hospitals. 



Parasites. — None peculiar to the colony have been observed. All have 

 been imported. It is doubtful if the tapeworm has gained a hold on the 

 colony. Like hydatid it is probably brought hither in the person of the 



