WEST WARD UNION. The meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday last, in place of Wednesday, the latter day being inconvenient to Guardians on account of the Fair at Appleby. MR. ATKINSON presided, and the usual routine business was gone through. There was not much of public interest, excepting the Quarterly Report of the Medical Officer, which was accompanied by a tabular statement of the Health of the Ward. The Report was as follows”": During the quarter ending March 31st, 63 births and 30 deaths were registered in the West Ward. The natural increase of population was 33. The general mortality was less than that of the preceding quarter, chiefly through a diminution of deaths at the early periods of life; and the number of deaths from diseases of the lungs and zymotic class were remarkably low. Birth Rate. – The births were at the rate of 30.34 per 1000 of the population. Of every 100 births, 8 per cent. were illegitimate. Death Rate. – The death rate was equivalent to an annual one of 14.75 per 1000. The proportion of deaths among children under one year of age, to the total number at all ages, was 10 per cent.; and to births registered, 4.7; both figures constituting one of the most satisfactory features of the report, inasmuch as they point to the great security of infant life. The influence of weather was not conspicuous in the number of deaths, especially from inflammatory affections of the lungs, during the period under consideration. The mortality from zymotic diseases was at the rate of 1.4 per 1000 against 1.8 on the previous quarter. The appearance of diphtheria, in Shap, during the month of March, led to the immediate adoption of precautionary measures, and, amongst others, to the distribution of disinfecting materials, and handbills of instruction upon the proper management of the sick-room, and the removal of nuisances. The village school which appeared to have a share in the more rapid dissemination of infection at the outset, was closed by the trustees at my recommendation. Fortunately the outbreak was characterized by an unusual mildness throughout, and not a single death was recorded. DAVID PAGE, M.D. __________________ barb, ontario, canada.