View report page

62
Infectious Diseases fall into several categories—
(a) Permanent compulsorily certifiable diseases, including
Phthisis.
(b) Temporary compulsorily certifiable diseases:—Chicken
pox when small pox is present.
(c) Non-certifiable diseases—
(1) Diseases notifiable by School Teachers:—Measles,
whooping cough, mumps, tonsilitis.
(2) Communicable Disorders notifiable by School
Teachers :—Ophthalmia, ringworm, impetigo,
scabies, pediculosis.
(3) Suspicious illness:—Sore throat, feverish cold,
whooping, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, etc.
Small Pox.
One case of small pox occurred, viz., J. A., 29 years of age,
male, of Monson Road, notified on 27th February. The
patient, a bricklayer by trade, fell ill on 21st February, and the
characteristic rash appeared on the 24th.
The patient was promptly removed to hospital and the
premises disinfected.
The patient, who was vaccinated in infancy, was revaccinated
on removal to South Wharf, and has since recovered.
All persons who had been in contact with the patient were
kept under close observation, but I am pleased to report that no
further cases occurred.
It is worthy of note that no deaths have occurred from
this complaint since 1902, in which year there were 30 deaths
out of a total of 143 cases; in the next year only two cases
were notified with no deaths.
It is an important fact that owing to the further facilities
afforded by the Act by which exemption from vaccination
may be obtained, the decline in infant vaccination still
continues, contributing a danger to the community, and there
is little doubt that the sense of security now prevailing will
sooner or later receive a rude shock in the form of a serious
outbreak of small pox.