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55
CONTROL OF DISEASE
The only marked change in the incidence of
infectious disease in 1938 as compared with 1937,
was the great increase in the number of measles
cases though there was fortunately some reduction
in whooping cough.
Diphtheria.
The were 235 cases of diphtheria notifiedd uring
the year. The age grouping of the cases is given in
the accompanying table. All the cases were
removed to an isolation hospital.
5 deaths from this disease occurred during the
year, equivalent to a case mortality of 2.1 per cent.,
or general death rate of 0.05 per 1,000 of the population.
From information received from the hospitals
it would appear that in at least 41 cases (or 17.4 per
cent. of the total) the diagnosis of Diphtheria was not
confirmed. 15 cases developed in hospital 5
of these being hospital staff, while there were
15 "second cases" in families in which a case had
recently occurred.
Anti-diphtheritic serum is stocked at the Town
Hall and supplied free on the order of a doctor;
12,000 units were supplied during the year.
Scarlet Fever.
There were 348 cases of scarlet fever notified during
the year, 316 of the patients being removed to
an isolation hospital.
Two deaths were certified as due to scarlet fever
during the year. From information received from
the hospitals, it would appear that in at least 19
cases (or 5.5 per cent. of the total) the diagnosis was
not confirmed. 6 cases seem to have been developed
in hospital, 2 being members of the hospital staff,
while there were 16 " second cases."