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patients who were discharged but still suffering from the following
diseases :—Tonsillitis 29, Rhinitis 9, Otitis Media 5, Catarrhal
Sore Throat 2, and Adenitis, Quinsy, Pharyngitis and Rhinorrhoea,
one each.
The attack rate is equivalent to 3.14 per 1,000 population,
but taking the estimated child population of the Borough as 23,000,
the attack rate per 1,000 child population is 11.1.
There were 4 fatalities due to Diphtheria which gives a case
mortality of 1.3 per cent.
In accordance with the Antitoxin Order, 1910, a supply of
Antitoxin is provided by the Council for the vise of general practitoners
in emergency cases. Fifteen phials of Antitoxin, each
containing 10,000 units of serum, have been supplied during the
year.
One thousand six hundred and sixty four swabs were forwarded
by medical practitioners for bacteriological examination from cases
suspected to be diphtheria. Of this number, 1,400 were reported
to give negative or doubtful results and 264 were positive in
character, being dealt with accordingly.
Immunisation Scheme.—It may be recollected that a tentative
scheme was prepared and arrangements made with local Hospitals
to provide certain facilities for immunisation against Diphtheria
and that a report on the working of the Scheme should be furnished
at the end of September, 1937.
Accordingly the following Report was submitted to the Public
Health Committee.
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have to report on the modified Diphtheria Immunisation
Scheme recommended by this Committee and adopted by the
Council in October 1936. A report was requested by the Ministry
of Health after 6 months experience, but it was pointed out in
March last that it was practically the end of 1936 when the
scheme got under way, and a postponement was granted to the
present time.
You will remember that the scheme was instituted on the
following lines :—
(1) a. Agreement with the Seamen's Hospital authorities.
b. Dr. Arthur Davies to carry out necessary injections.
c. Those cases applying voluntarily to the Public Health
Department to be dealt with, and no propaganda to
be used.