View report page

14
There is no doubt that diphtheria may be so mild in its character as to
give rise to no suspicion, as to its real nature. The parents of the sufferer
simply regard the case as one of slight "sore throat," which does not require
any medical advice, and after a few days' absence, the patient having apparently
recovered is allowed to return to school. Such a case may remain the source
of infection for many days.
I do not think that too much weight can be attached to the importance of
always paying attention to sore throats, especially to those occurring in young
children.
Diarrhœal Diseases caused 170 deaths, as against 93 in 1892. 125 were
in children under 1 year, and 29 between the ages of 1 and 5 years.
Summer diarrhoea was very prevalent during the prolonged hot and
dry weather of July, August, and September. This disease is caused by
germs which are introduced into the system by means of food and drink.
Dampness of the subsoil, defective drains, and emanations from sewers, sewage
pollution of the ground in the neighbourhood of dwellings, together with hot, dry
weather, are conditions favourable to the growth and development of these
particular germs. Existing in the dust from the ground, they settle on the
surface of milk, water and food, and thus reach the intestines, there to produce
in susceptible individuals, those changes which result in diarrhoea. Hence the
importance of carefully attending to the preparation of all food and drink consumed
during the summer months. In view of this, I drew up certain rules for
the prevention of this complaint, which were distributed in the parish in the
form of handbills. They were as follows:—
(1.)—Food.—All food should be kept in well ventilated and lighted cupboards,
protected from dust and flies, and not exposed to any offensive smells.
All food should be thoroughly cooked.
It is very important to wash the hands before partaking of a meal.
Over-ripe or un-ripe fruit, tainted meat or fish, and stale vegetables, are specially
to be avoided.
It is desirable to boil all water for drinking purposes.
Milk should be boiled immediately it is received into the house.
Particular attention ought to be paid to the boiling of the milk given to infants
who are artificially fed, also to the cleanliness of the feeding bottles, which
should always be scalded before use.
Feeding bottles without tubes are preferable to those which have them, as they are
more easily cleansed.
(2.)—Ventilation.—It is of the utmost importance to allow as much fresh air as
possible to circulate through the dwelling. The windows of every room in the
house should be open for at least three or four hours every day, and at night
if possible.