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32
SPECIFIC INFECTIOUS OR ZYMOTIC DISEASE.
During the year 1908 there were 2,055 cases of infectious
disease compulsorily notified in the Borough; but of these, 75 were
subsequently found not to be suffering from the disease notified,
thus reducing the number of genuine cases of notifiable disease to
1,980 cases. The number shows a decline on the number notified
in 1907. The attack rate for the year in respect of the compulsorily
notifiable infectious diseases is, therefore, 8.4 per 1,000 persons
living. In addition there were 102 cases of phthisis voluntarily
notified. This is a decline of 55 on the number notified during
the previous year. The deaths from the seven chief zymotic diseases
numbered 346. This is equal to a zymotic death rate of 1.05 per
thousand living persons in the Borough.
A. NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Smallpox.—One case supposed to be smallpox was notified
during 1908, but was subsequently found not to be suffering from
this disease.
Scarlet Fever.—The total number of cases of this disease
notified during 1908 was 1,252, but of this number 38 were found
subsequently not to be suffering from scarlet fever. The genuine
cases of this disease is, therefore, reduced to the number of 1,214.
This is a decrease of 483 on the number which occurred in the
Borough during 1907. The attack rate of scarlet fever for the year
1908 is 5.2 per thousand living persons. The chart accompanying
this report shows the incidence of this disease week by week
throughout the year. It will be observed that it was at its lowest
point during the months of April, May, June, July and August, but
was much higher during the remaider of the year. The number of
cases of scarlet fever removed to hospital during the year was 1,133.
This is equivalent to more than 90 per cent. of the number of eases
notified. The following table shows the dates of removal of these
cases in relation to the date of notification:—