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NOTIFIABLE DISEASES, Etc.
Diphtheria
There were 489 cases of diphtheria notified during
the year.
Of these, there were 16 cases under the age of 1
year, 184 between the ages of 1 and 5 years, 227 between
the ages of 5 and 15 years, 44 between the ages
of 15 and 25 years, 15 between the ages of 25 and 45
years, 2 between the ages of 45 and 65 years, and 1
over 65 years of age.
Of the 489 cases, all were removed to an isolation
hospital except 2 who were treated at home, and 1 in
which the diagnosis was only made at the time of
death.
Twenty deaths from this disease occurred during
the year.
Comparison with previous years is as follows :—
1918 26 deaths
1919 58 „
1920 36 „
1921 34 „
1922 34 „
1923 20 „
Of the 20 deaths, 11 were those of children over
1 year of age and under 5. The second, third, fourth,
and fifth years of life comprise the epoch when the
young child is most susceptible to diphtheria, and a
heavy toll of life is taken. Of the 184 cases occurring
during this period of life, it will be seen that 6.0 per
cent. died. At the epoch 5-15 years the mortality was
only 2.6 per cent, of those attacked.
Several cases of diphtheria having occurred in the
staff of an Institution in the Borough, suggestions
were made to all Institutions having the care of