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17
Scarlet Fever or Scarlatina.—The number of cases of scarlet
fever notified during 1918 was 274 but of these 8 were found afterwards
not to be suffering from this disease, thus reducing the
genuine cases to 266. This is a decrease of 26 upon the number o f
genuine cases notified during 1917.
The attack rate for scarlet fever is 1.3 per 1,000 persons
living. The number of cases removed to hospital was 234 which
is 85 per cent, of the total notified.
The deaths from this disease numbered 6, which is equal to a
mortality rate of 2.2 per cent, attacked, and .03 per 1,000 living.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—There were 480 cases of
diphtheria and membranous croup notified during the year, but of
these 24 cases were found subsequently not to be suffering from
diphtheritic disease, thus reducing the genuine cases to 456. This
is an increase of 170 upon the number of cases occurring during
1917. The attack rate is 2.3 per 1,000 living. There were 415
cases of diphtheria and membranous croup removed to hospital
during 1918. This is equal to 86 per cent, of the cases notified.
The deaths from diphtheritic disease numbered 51. This is
equal to a mortality rate of 11.2 per cent, attacked, and .25 per
1,000 living.
During the year 311 swabbings from throats of persons
suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologically
examined, 74 of which gave positive results, 215 negative results,
and 22 were doubtful.
Diphtheria Anti.toxin Order.—In accordance with the above
Order 20 bottles of anti.toxin of 2,000 units each were supplied to
medical practitioners during the year 1918. Most of the anti.toxin
was administered for prophylactic purposes.
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