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147
Diphtheria.—During the year there were 69 eases of
diphtheria notified to me. Fourteen cases were removed
to hospital. Fourteen deaths from this disease were
registered in the sub-district, and nine deaths of residents
of the parish occurred in hospitals outside of our
boundary. During the past twelve years we have had
a wonderful immunity from this disease. Since 1888
there has not been a single death from diphtheria
registered in this sub-district. Up till the month of
June this year, although several scattered cases occurred
throughout the parish they were of the ordinary mild
type to which we have become accustomed.
In the month of June one case occurred in Olivette
Street, and another in Mascotte Road, both infants, and
both followed by a fatal result. In the month of July
two more cases occurred in Olivette Street, one in
Lifford Street, and one in North Place.
In the month of August 17 cases of diphtheria were
notified; 13 of these were confined to a very small
area—practically to a few streets in the vicinity of
Olivette Street and Mascotte Road. In the month of
September four cases were notified more widely scattered
throughout the district—in October five—in November
17, and in December eight. The distribution of the
epidemic is certainly suggestive. Of the 69 cases
notified, no less than 44 occurred in a comparatively
small area bounded by the High Street and Charlwood
Road to the east and west, and Upper Richmond and
Lower Richmond Road to the south and north. Charlwood
Road, Redgrove Road, Mascotte Road, Olivette
Road, and Gay Street were most affected. A sanitary
inspection was made by myself to determine, if possible,
the cause of the epidemic. This neighbourhood is the
most densely populated part of our district, and the