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64
Cholera.—No case was reported as due to Cholera, against
no case in the previous year.
Plague.—No case was reported as due to Plague, against
no case in the previous year.
Diphtheria and Diphtheritic Membraneous Croup.—Two
hundred and thirty-three cases were reported as due to
Diphtheria or Diphtheritic Membranous Croup, against 440
cases in the previous year. Two hundred and twenty-six cases
were treated at the Isolation Hospitals and 7 at the homes
of the patients. Twenty deaths were registered. The mortality
rate on the cases reported was 8.6 per cent. It will be observed
that there is a considerable decrease in the number of cases of
Diphtheria, as compared with the previous year. The cases
were fairly evenly distributed throughout the Borough, and
only in a few instances was it possible to determine accurately
the source of infection.
Anti-toxin.—During the year a supply of Anti-toxin was
kept in the Public Health Department for the use of Medical
Practitioners attending patients residing in the Borough. All
the Medical men in the Borough were again informed by circular
letter that supplies of Anti-toxin could be obtained at the Town
Hall. Although more use was made of this than in the past,
it was only to a small extent. This is to be regretted, as I am
convinced some of the mortality from this disease would be
avoided if greater use were made of the free supply of Antitoxin
supplied by the Council.
No difficulty was experienced in removing cases to
Hospital, the accommodation available being adequate for
the number of cases.