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7
SCARLET FEVER.
There were 47 cases of Scarlet Fever notified, as
against 30 and 74 in the previous two years ; none of them
died. I am again glad to note that 38 of these 47 cases
were removed to hospital, a step which I am certain is for
the good of the individual removed, as it is for friends and
neighbours of the diseased person.
The type of Scarlet Fever is shown by the fact that not
a single case was fatal, but as one often finds when the
disease is mild the difficulty of detection is increased, and
the disease is more liable to spread.
DIPHTHERIA.
Diphtheria gives 18 notifications, as against 25 and
17 the previous two years. Of this number only 9 were
removed to hospital.
Although the notifications for Diphtheria are fewer
than last year, the deaths from this disease total six as
against three in 1903. Only half of the 18 notifications
were removed to hospital. On several occasions during
the year I have been appealed to to undertake the
bacteriological examination of swabs from throats and
other pathological products, and I would recommend that
arrangements should be concluded to carry this into effect,
for in this way the prompt recognition of infectious
disease is determined, and the correct diagnosis verified.
TYPHOID FEVER.
Four Cases only of Typhoid Fever were notified, as
against 11 and 2 the previous two years; and one died.
Although I cannot speak definitely as to the source of
these cases, there was reason in every case to believe that
the disease had been contracted outside the district.