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PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
An increase in the number of notifications was recorded
during the year for whooping cough, measles and acute primary
pneumonia, while the only fall of any size was scarlet fever.
The mortality from notified infectious diseases was almost
negligible—six, of which measles was responsible for two deaths,
diphtheria two deaths and whooping cough and poliomyelitis
one death each.
Diphtheria.
During the year there were 8 cases of diphtheria confirmed
Two of these had been immunised —a boy of 8½ years who was
immunised at the age of 2½ years and a boy of 13 years who was
immunised when 6 years of age. Neither of these children had
received a reinforcing injection. Both cases made a successful
recovery. There were two deaths from this disease, one child
aged 2 years, who had not been immunised and another child
aged 9 years of whom there was no record of immunisation.
In spite of the efforts to emphasise the value of immunisation to all parents, there yet remains a percentage whose neglect
to avail themselves of this proved prophylactic gives rise to
much anxiety and sometimes loss of life.
Paratyphoid Fever.
Of the three cases notified, one was found not to be suffering
from the disease. The source of infection of the other two
cases was not discovered.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Of the 24 cases of this disease notified, twenty were treated
in hospital. There were no deaths from this cause.