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was taken to make certain that the first patient was free from
infection, so far as this could be ascertained by bacteriological
means, before discharge from hospital. Fortunately no further
cases followed these two, and although at one time another inmate
of the house was suspected as being a carrier, neither bacteriological
nor clinical evidence supported this suspicion. Both
patients made a good recovery and have remained free from
infection.
DYSENTERY.
A minor epidemic of dysentery occurred during the last
quarter of the year, 43 cases being notified to me. Many of these
cases occurred in infants or very young children, eleven were
removed to hospital, and in one of the latter patients the diagnosis
of dysentery was not confirmed. Home nursing was provided
in one case, and there were no deaths from this disease. In
several of these cases the diagnosis was definitely pinned down
to the Sonne bacillus.
SMALL-POX.
There were no cases of small-pox and no revaccinations were
made under the Public Health (Small-pox Prevention) Regulations
1917.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
There was only one case of ophthalmia neonatorum notified
this year as compared with six cases last year. Unfortunately,
in spite of treatment in hospital, this infant's vision was slightly
impaired. The child is, however, still under treatment, and there
is a good prospect of improvement.
Cases
Total
Blindness
Notified
Treated
Vision
Un-
Impaired
Vision
Impaired
Deaths
At home
In
Hospital
1
-
-
1
-
-
1