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5
Infectious Diseases.
During 1919 the following diseases were unduly prevalent: Diphtheria,
Scarlet Fever and Measles. There were 270 cases of Diphtheria,
with 16 deaths. The cases were as usual more prevalent in the
North-West and North Wards. There were 517 cases of Scarlet
Fever notified, and it is to be noted that this disease was generally distributed
throughout the Borough, but the East and North Wards supplied
by far the greater number of cases. It is satisfactory to know
that there were only 9 deaths from Scarlet Fever, thus showing the
value of Institutional care, and the necessity of the steps taken by the
Committee and your Medical Officer to procure the same. Measles
cases notified numbered 1459, and this disease was prevalent throughout
the Borough, but it is fairly satisfactory to note that there were
only 21 deaths.
General Matters.
As this will be the last report that I shall have the pleasure of
making to the Council, I should like to say that the past 9 years have
been years of progress, and I have marked with considerable satitisfaction
a steady improvement in the general health of the borough and in
the sanitary conditions generally.
Staff.
1 have much pleasure in reporting that the present staff of the
Public Health Department have carried out their difficult duties in a
satisfactory and conscientious manner and to my entire satisfaction.
Personally I beg to thank the Council for their kind and courteous
consideration and support in matters affecting this department.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
W. H. Whitehouse.