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29
Coming after the record low rate for 1935, the rate
for 1936 is very disappointing. The increase is
almost wholly accounted for by four diseases. The
biennial epidemic of measles occurred during the
year, accompanied by many cases of whooping cough,
accounting between them for a death rate of 9 per
1,000. Pneumonia was responsible for a similar
increase, while diarrhœa deaths gave an increased
death rate as high as 18.3 per 1,000. As will be remembered,
the year was characterised by a deficit
of sunshine, and the autumn and winter were one
prolonged period of gloomy rainy weather, with a
loss of opportunity for outdoor recreation.