WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER - transcribed by J. Mosman 11 FEBRUARY 1859 THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CORNWALL   The following returns were made by the district Registrars to the Registrar General, for the quarter ending December 31st, 1858: St. Germans - Births, 36; deaths 40.The deaths are considerably above the average. 21 children died during the quarter, including 7 from fever and 6 from whooping cough. Callington - Births 142; deaths 109. The deaths are above the average; 22 were from fever, scarlatina, and typhus, the greater part of which occurred in the parish of Calstock, which still continues in an unhealthy state. Liskeard - Births, 56; deaths 57. The deaths are above average. 38 deaths of children from various causes have been registered, viz. from measles, 8, scarlatina 8, whooping-cough 5, diphtheria 2, and other causes 15. The births rather exceed the average. Looe - Births 56; deaths 57. The deaths are above the average. 38 deaths of children from various causes have been registered, viz., from measles 8, scarlatina 8, whooping-cough 5, diphtheria 2, and other causes 15. The births rather exceed the average. [As printed; Looe and Liskeard results are identical.] St. Mabyn - Births 24; deaths 15. Diptheria appears prevalent of late in part of this sub-district, and I have registered 4 deaths from this cause during the quarter. Newlyn - Births 25; deaths 13. The number of births is fewer than has been registered for the last 10 years. This is mainly attributable to the large decrease in the population, consequent on emigration and removal (on account of mines ceasing to work) into the more busy working districts. Probus - Births 29; deaths 25. 7 deaths occurred from malignant sore throat, which has been very prevalent in my district. St. Agnes - Births 67; deaths 42. Measles has been prevalent, though not very fatal. A few cases of small-pox have occurred, but not with fatal results. Vaccination still much neglected. St. Clement - Births 60; deaths 33. Deaths considerably below the average. Falmouth - Births 93; deaths 69. The births and deaths are both above the average. Small-pox is very general in my district. I beg to draw your attention to the following case: In one house, situated in a very filthy yard in Falmouth, there were thirteen persons attacked with the small-pox, of whom 8 had been vaccinated and 5 had not; the 8 who were vaccinated recovered, whilst the 5 who were unvaccinated died. Penryn - Births 38; deaths 22. In Falmouth small-pox has been very prevalent; and in this sub-district we have only had 3 non-fatal cases. One death has occurred from diphtheria. Wendron - Births 73; deaths 41. The births and deaths are about the average. One death occurred from small-pox, and the informant stated that there were several more cases in the neighbourhood, that is, the north part of the district, adjoining Camborne and the parish of Illogan. Redruth - Births 85; deaths 48. The deaths are 4 in excess of those of the corresponding quarter in last year, but about average of the past 4 years, and call for no particular remark, other than that there has been unusual mortality amongst very aged persons. Illogan - Births 70; deaths 54. The deaths exceed the average, and occurred principally from measles and phthisis in copper mines. One death occurred from small-pox, after vaccination. There has been a caution posted in this district, requiring parents to have their children vaccinated, and with good effect, which has been the means of more vaccinations in December than for the former part of the year. Camborne - Births 90; deaths 82. The deaths are slightly above the average. Measles and small-pox have been epidemic during the quarter, 11 deaths having been registered from the former, and 10 from the latter disease. Vaccination has been very generally neglected amongst the poorer classes; but, in consequence of the prevalence of small-pox, they are now much alarmed, and are getting their children vaccinated. Phillack - Births 92; deaths 46. Measles had prevailed during the quarter, but not very fatal. Uny Lelant - Births 58; deaths 28. The deaths are rather below the average. St. Ives - Births 67; deaths 35. The deaths a little under the average. 2 non-fatal cases of small-pox occurred in this sub-district, one in Towednack, and the other in the town; they were brought from other parishes. In all other respects the district is quite healthy. Marazion - Births 33; deaths 23. 4 cases of small pox have occurred in the town of Marazion alone, in persons unprotected by vaccination. They have all recovered, and the disease appears to have subsided, most persons in this town having been vaccinated. The End Julia M.   West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell