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17
The deaths from scarlet fever during 1915 numbered 7, which
is equal to a mortality of 9.6 per 1,000 attacked and .03 per 1,000
living.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—There were 390 cases of
diphtheria and 12 cases of membranous croup notified during the
year; but of these, 46 cases of diphtheria and 1 of membranous
croup were found subsequently not to be suffering from diphtheritic
disease, thus reducing the genuine cases to 355. This is a decrease
of 119 upon the number of cases occurring during 1914. The
disease was prevalent during the whole year, especially during the
months of January, November and December. Diphtheria was
most prevalent in the South-East (104 cases) and South-West
(105 cases) Sub-Districts.
There were 317 cases of diphtheria removed to hospital during
1915. This is equal to 78 per cent. of the cases notified.
The attack rate for diphtheria is 1.6 per 1,000 living. The
deaths from diphtheritic disease numbered 28. This is equal to a
mortality rate of 7.8 per cent. attacked and .09 per 1,000 living.
During the year 448 swabbings from throats of persons suspected
to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologically
examined, 106 of which gave positive results, 326 negative results
and 16 were reported doubtful.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.—In accordance with the Anti-toxin
Order, 1910, a supply of diphtheria anti-toxin was provided and
issued as required to medical practitioners applying for it, for cases
of diphtheria amongst the poorer inhabitants of the Borough.
During the year 14 bottles of anti-toxin of 2,000 units each were
supplied to medical practitioners, 8 of which were for curative
treatment and 6 for prophylaxis.
Typhoid or Enteric Fever.—During the period under consideration
40 cases of enteric fever were notified, but of these 6 cases
B