View report page

It may be noted that in 1927, of 24 samples of sausages examined, nine
were found to be adulterated; that convictions numbered three, and that the
fines and costs imposed amounted to £16 18s. 0d.
Whatever the cause, it is cheering to note that the sausages in our district
are living up to the reputation which the district has gained—that of honesty :
at any rate, they have not been found out.
Other examinations of a chemical or bacteriological nature have been those
previously mentioned under designated milk and carried out at the Counties
Public Health Laboratories.
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER DISEASES.
Measles.
This disease appeared in the early part of the year, and was responsible
for eight deaths in the first quarter of the year and fifteen deaths in the second
quarter: of these 23 deaths, 22 occurred in children under five years of age.
Whooping Cough has appeared in sporadic fashion in different parts
of the district during the year, but towards the end of the year became slightly
more common in the northern area.
Mumps, prevalent in 1927, died down in 1928; whilst odd cases of
Chicken Pox appeared at intervals.
None of these illnesses are notifiable; in the case of children of school age,
information is through the attendance department, and in the cases of measles
and whooping cough visits are paid to the homes by the school nurses if no
doctor is in attendance.
During the outbreak of measles, pamphlets dealing with the nature of the
disease, etc., were distributed at the Child Welfare Clinics.
Diphtheria.
There were 151 cases of this disease notified during the year. This is a
welcome decrease in a complaint which one had begun to regard as endemic.
The deaths numbered six, the rate per 1,000 population being thus 0.08 ;
the rate for 1926 was 0.45, and that for 1927, 0.12.
Judging by the number of carriers at the beginning of the year, it certainly
appeared as if 1928 was going to rival 1926 in numbers.
27