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25
It is difficult to write definitely on the incidence of sickncss generally,
as the. Medical Officer of Health has no access to sickness returns which
would render a complete and accurate survey possible. The information
that can be given is therefore mainly based on impressions gleaned
from local general practitioners, from deductions on the incidence of
certain diseases in the death returns and from details as to persons who
receive medical relief from the Public Assistance Committee.
The year, generally, was an unfavourable one from a meteorological
point of view. The weather was very cold, particularly in the early
months. As a consequence, there was a considerable amount of respiratory
and rheumatic affections, but the deaths from diseases of this
character were lower than in previous years. The number of deaths is,
of course, no measure of the amount of sickness and can only be regarded
as an index. Influenza was much less prevalent and less severe in type
than the average incidence of the disease during the preceding five years.
Judged by the notifications received, there was an increase in the amount
of pneumonia, 127 notifications being received, as compared with 94 in
the previous year.
There was a definite decrease in the number of cases of infectious
disease. The incidence of gastro-intestinal diseases was comparatively
low.
No special effects of any particular occupation, prejudically affecting
the health of workers therein, have been reported.