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It is generally accepted by the majority of the medical
profession that the pneumonias are infectious diseases, and are
disseminated by spitting, sneezing and coughing. At present all
acute primary and acute influenzal pneumonias are notifiable, but
it would seem advisable to make notifiable all forms of pneumonia,
both primary and secondary, so that the administrative machinery,
such as visiting, arrangements for nursing, removal to hospital
where necessary, might be put into force in order to check the
ravages of the disease.
The number of deaths from pneumonia (all forms) during
the year was 226.
Erysipelas
120 cases were notified during the year, 57 of which were
removed to hospital. The deaths numbered 8.
Cerebro-spinal Fever.
The notifications of this disease received during the year
numbered 3. The cases were removed to hospital, but the subsequent
diagnosis in each instance proved the patient to be
suffering from a disease other than cerebro-spinal meningitis.
Polio-myelitis and Polio-encephalitis.
3 cases of this disease were notified during the year. The
following table gives particulars of these cases with the condition
of the patient at the end of 1926: —
Date of
Notification.
Where
treated.
Ultimate
Diagnosis.
Sex.
Age.
Subsequent History.
Patient moved away
M.
3
3/3/26
Hospital
Confirmed
Still receiving treatment,
left arm and leg paralysed
F.
1 6/1 2
4/9/26
Hospital
Confirmed
Confirmed
Recovered
F.
24
3/12/26
At home
This disease is undoubtedly infectious, and it is essential
for all patients in the acute stage to be isolated whether the
manifestation of illness is slight or severe.
The clinical stages of this disease have been divided into
three, the acute, which usually has subsided within 6 weeks, the
recovery stage, which extends to the end of the second year, and
the chronic stage, from the third year onwards.
The treatment of the first stage is rest and the prevention of
deformities.
Early diagnosis of this disease in this stage is most important
so that treatment can be started to prevent, crippling.