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Recent research work in connection with scarlet fever has
opened up the possibility of determining the susceptibility and
immunity of individuals and the diagnosis of doubtful cases.
It is also claimed that active immunisation can be effected
by gradual increasing doses of scarlet fever toxin.
It will be interesting to await further investigations as to
these claims, and in the meantime it is hoped that a continuance
of this research will result in a change in the methods adopted at
present in force to control this disease.
As to how far the above tables prove the relationship of overcrowding
with the occurrence of infectious disease is a matter of
speculation. They are, however, interesting, in that they show
the varying conditions of housing and the sleeping arrangements
of those concerned.
Typhoid Fever.
The number of cases of this disease was the same as in the
previous year, viz., 10. Eight of these were removed to hospital.
The deaths numbered 2.
Pneumonia.
133 cases of acute primary pneumonia and 41 cases of the
influenzal form were notified during the year. Of these 39 cases
were removed to hospital. Home Nursing services were provided
by the Local Authority where assistance was sought. The deaths
numbered 291.
Puerperal Fever.
15 notifications of this disease were received during the year,
and 13 of the cases were removed to Institutions. There were
10 deaths from this cause. (See also Puerperal Sepsis, Maternity
and Child Welfare Section.)
Acute Poliomyelitis.
The number of cases of this disease notified during the year
was 3. At the end of the year two of the cases were receiving
hospital treatment for paralysis, and in the third case complete
recovery is reported. Each of the cases occurred in children
under 5 years of age.
The Ministry of Health, in Circular No. 538, dated December
1st, 1924, drew attention, inter alia, to the high proportion of
cases of poliomyelitis which occur below the age of 5 years, and
stressed the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in order
to avoid permanent crippling and physical deformity which often
follows.
The Ministry also pointed out that owing to the obscure
nature of the first symptoms of acute poliomyelitis medical
practitioners should be reminded of the importance of early
diagnosis.