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87
1911
Diphtheria was responsible for 53 deaths, which is a decrease of 49 on
the average, 102, that obtained in the twenty-six years 1885 and 1910. The
mortality was, however, 19 in excess of that of 1910, and 22 of that of 1909. In
1901 as many as 134 deaths were caused by it, and in 1902, 104. Since then,
however, the decrease in the mortality has been very marked, as may be seen
in the following statement:—
1901 134
1902 104
1903 43
1904 28
1905 34
1906 32
1907 42
1908 60
1909 31
1910 34
1911 53
Such a decrease as these figures denote is highly satisfactory; and indeed,
when one compares the mortality with such figures as 200 in 1893, and 218 in
1894, 257 in 1896, that satisfaction must be greatly enhanced. Despite what
may be said by certain cranks opposed to anti-toxin treatment, they are
clear proof of the efficacy of this drug, even if every allowance be made
(or the milder type of the disease, which prevails. This is shown by
the fact that whereas the cases decreased from 855 in 1893 to 593 in 1911, or
30-7 per cent., the deaths fell from 200 to 53, or 73.5. The effect of the
anti-toxin treatment was fully dealt with in a special report, presented to the
Council in 1910. It is therefore unnecessary to further argue the matter now.