598 DR A. LOCKHART GILLESPIE ON 



The total admissions for the 16 weeks of the third epidemic, 1891-92, were 5 p.c. 

 above the normal, the mortality slightly below. The Respiratory cases were again much 

 above the mean, 36 p.c, Pneumonia 36 p.c, and Pleurisy 36 p.c. — a curious similarity ; 

 while all the other classes investigated were below the average except that of Acute 

 Rheumatism, which was slightly above it. 



During the epidemic of 1893, a spring epidemic, the total admissions were 2*3 p.c. 

 below the normal, the Respiratory cases 20 p.c above, Pneumonia 32 p.c, and Pleurisy 

 21 p.c. over the mean for the year ; but if it be remembered that the epidemic occurred 

 when these diseases are nearly at their lowest for the year, the increase is more marked 

 in reality than the figures show. The numbers of all the other systems were down 

 below the mean. 



The outbreak which occurred during the winter of 1893-94, and lasted for 16 

 weeks, was not characterised by a great increase of Respiratory disorders, only 3 p.c, 

 though the Pneumonia cases admitted were 23 p.c above the mean. Pleurisy, on the 

 other hand, was below the normal average, as much as 6 p.c. Diseases of the Digestive 

 system were, however, above their average, as much as 6 p.c. The total admissions 

 and cases from other systems were below the normal for the year. 



The last epidemic occurred in the spring of 1895. During it the total admissions 

 rose 8 p.c. over the year's mean, the Respiratory cases 35 p.c, Pneumonia 80 p.c, and 

 Pleurisy 12 p.c. The excessive rise in the Pneumonia cases may be readily accounted 

 for by the very severe weather of the period. The mortality was also above the mean, 

 while the other classes were either below or about the normal for the year. 



If the figures for the whole 68 weeks be treated in the same manner (Table IX. 

 p. 602), we find the same relation between the cases and the total admissions. Thus 

 the total admissions themselves were 3 p.c. above the average for seven years, cases of 

 Respiratory disease 4*8 p.c. up, compared with the normal percentage of these cases to 

 the total admissions, or, to put it differently, the actual increase in numbers over the 

 normal was 9"1 p.c. The cases of Pneumonia admitted were increased 1*9 p.c. above the 

 normal percentage to admissions, of Pleurisy 0*87 p.c. The actual increase over the 

 normal was 54 p.c. for Pneumonia, the average for 68 weeks being 204 cases, the actual 

 316, and for Pleurisy 31 p.c, or 231 cases instead of 176. The number of deaths for 

 the same weeks was below the mean if considered in relation to the total admissions, 

 slightly above the actual mean in point of numbers. All the other systems investigated 

 showed a diminution in numbers, the Nervous as much as 10 p.c. 



Consideration of the facts adduced above shows that in all the six epidemics the 

 Respiratory system was the one chiefly implicated, while there was a diminution in the 

 cases of disease of other systems, both actually and in relation to the number of total 

 admissions. The mortality in the Medical Wards was little altered. 



A very different picture is presented by the figures of the periods following the 

 Influenza epidemics. The tables (Table VIII.) for these periods have been drawn out 

 in exactly the same manner as those relating to the epidemic weeks. 



