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Nine children out of every hundred born in 1905 are shown to have been successfully vaccinated in that year. This is a falling-back to the position which obtained in 1901 as regards vaccination of infants. The exemptions taken out will also be found from the subsequent remarks to have fallen in number. The procedure under the new law as regards vaccination is similar to that previously in force. The Eegistrar issues a notice when a birth is registered, with forms for certificate as to the result of vaccination attached. Vaccination is still compulsory, if exemption is not secured in four months from date of birth. But everything is now subject to the provisions of the " exemption clause," which is the main feature, and governs the rest. Any parent or custodian who has conscientious objections — believing that vaccination would be injurious tojjthe child's health —can apply for a certificate of exemption to a Magistrate or Eegistrar of Births ; and, when the child's parent or guardian is resident outside of a borough, the application may be made to and certificate granted by a Justice of the Peace. Thirteen thousand one hundred and seventy-nine exemption certificates were issued from the 13th October, 1900, when the Act came into force, to the end of the year 1905. Of these, 1,966 belong to the year 1905, -when, as before stated, the successful vaccination of children under one year of age amounted to 2,079, or 9 per cent, of births. [I have referred in this and my previous reports to the deplorable falling-ofi in vaccinations.] When no exemption certificate is obtained, the law now allows to the parent twelve months instead of six from the date of birth in which to vaccinate, and a similar period from date of taking charge of child in case of a custodian. There are penalties for not vaccinating, as before. One conviction for neglecting to vaccinate a child removes liability until the child is four years of age. The figures given above do not include Maoris vaccinated, nor vaccinations of adult persons other than Natives. [A large number of Maoris have been vaccinated, I am glad to say, and the number of revaccinations has been considerable.] PARASITIC DISEASES. There were 16 deaths from parasitic diseases, the proportion per 10,000 living being o'lB. Deaths from hydatids numbered 16 in 1905. DIETETIC DISEASES. Under the class " Dietetic diseases " are included 33 deaths from intemperance. But these cannot be said to represent the full extent of the mortality really caused by the abuse of alcoholic liquors. Many deaths of intemperate persons are attributed to diseases of the liver, kidneys, &c, in the medical certificates. CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES : PHTHISIS, CANCER, ETC. The deaths from constitutional diseases in 1905 numbered 1,437, or 16-52 per 10,000 of population, and 18 out of every 100 deaths from all causes. This class of disease is more fatal than any other except that defined as " Local diseases," on account of the great numbers of deaths from cancer and phthisis, with other tubercular complaints, which are classed as " Constitutional." The number of deaths from phthisis was 496 in 1905. The deaths in 1905 were in the proportion of 5-70 in every 10,000 persons living, against 7 - 08 in the previous year. Figures for ten years are quoted, showing that the total number of deaths from this disease in 1902 was the highest recorded during the decennium, though the rate has been higher in some of the previous years. Deaths from p . ir , m Year. Phthisis. Rate per 10 ' 000 - -1896 523 7-40 1897 596 8-26 1898 597 8-11 1899 593 791 1900 ... ... ... ... ... ■•• 577 7-56 1901 596 7-66 1902 ... ... ... ... ... ••• 617 7-73 1903 570 6-95 1904 598 7-08 1905 ... ... ... ... ••■ ••• 496 5-70 Of the persons dying from phthisis in New Zealand during 1905, more than one-half were born in the colony. The numbers are : Total of deaths from phthisis, 496 ; 275 of them having been New-Zealand-born. The proportion is 55 per cent. At the census of 1901 the New-Zealand-born were shown to be 67 per cent, of the population, which would give the approximate number of the same in 1905 as 582,900. The death-rate from phthisis amongst these persons was, judging from the numbers in the table annexed, 4-72 per 10,000 living. The death-rate from phthisis in the United Kingdom is stated by the Registrar-General to be at the rate of 12-03 per 10,000 living fo/the year.

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