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and it is a good plan to pack a large piece of paper in the lower
part of the dustbin immediately after it has been emptied, as this
ensures that the contents are always entirely removed by the dustman.
With these precautions it is unnecessary to add disinfecting
powders to the contents of the dustbin; and if in addition all
food to be given to children is kept in a cool place and covered,
the risks from that dangerous disease 'Summer Diarrhoea' will
be much reduced."
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Under Puerperal Fever are included deaths from Pyaemia
and Septicaemia occurring in lying-in women. 2 cases were notified
during the year; and there was no mortality from this disease.
It is satisfactory to note that the mortality among puerperal
women, both from puerperal sepsis and from accidents at childbirth,
is steadily decreasing.
PHTHISIS (CONSUMPTION) AND OTHER FORMS OF
TUBERCULOSIS.
106 cases of Consumption were notified under the Public
Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1912.
A few facts may be worthy of record in connection with the
cases notified during the year. There was certainly no family
history of Consumption in over 50 per cent, of the cases investigated.
The parental history was often, however, suggestive of
Phthisis, although one was informed that the death of the father
or mother was attributed to Bronchitis or some other Pulmonary
complaint. Excluding such doubtful cases of parental history
of the disease, it was found that in 13 cases the father or mother
(and in 1 case both) had either died, or were suffering from
Consumption at the time of the inquiry; and that in 6 other cases
there was a history of Consumption in the brothers or sisters of
the parents. Where the parents themselves had either died or
were living and suffering from the disease, in 6 cases it was the
father, in 3 cases the mother, and in 1 case both parents, who
were consumptive. Grand-parents were infected in 2 cases.
Brothers or sisters were consumptive in 10 instances,
brothers in 5, sisters in 7, and both in 2.