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Scarlet Fever. There was only one death from Scarlet
Fever, though 105 cases of the disease were notified
during the year, they were however mild in character.
Two-thirds were removed to Hospital, the remainder,
having means of isolation, were treated at home. As to
distribution, quite a third of the cases occurred in the
first half of the year, in a limited area, amongst children
attending the public schools. The outbreak was difficult
to control in proportion to its mild character. Some
cases, I believe, escaped recognition, they were hardly
ill at all, and by mixing with others at play and school,
spread the disease. In no other way can I explain the
prolonged course of the outbreak, nearly all the cases
were removed to Hospital on notification, though there
was difficulty in persuading the parents of the necessity,
the cases being often so very slight. However this was
effected in all cases with the co-operation of the medical
attendants, and after removal, the houses were thoroughly
disinfected and cleansed, and no fresh cases occurred in
them. But for notification, this would have become, I
believe, a wide spread epidemic. As it was, it was most
difficult to stop, breaking out again and again in fresh
places.
Diphtheria. Only three deaths occurred from this disease,
one at home, and two in the Asylums Board Hospitals.
This is below the decennial average. Forty cases
were notified during the year, mostly mild in character.
Towards the end of January, and early in February,
two cases were notified in an Orphanage, and gave cause
for anxiety. The patients were promptly removed to
Hospital, the house on inspection was found to have
many grave sanitary defects. These were all remedied,
no fresh cases occurred afterwards.
Typhoid Fever. Resulted in two deaths, 14 cases were
notified. The drains were all thoroughly examined in