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11
DIPHTHERIA.
Diphtheria was more prevalent than usual during the
latter part of January to the middle of February, and usually
below the average throughout the rest of the year.
There were 223 cases notified, 27 of which were fatal,
equal to a case-mortality of 12 per cent.
TYPHOID FEVER.
From the latter end of June up to the first week in
October, there were more cases than usual of typhoid fever.
In all 95 cases were notified, of which 14 terminated fatally.
This is equal to a case mortality of 14.7 per cent.
DISINFECTION.
The two disinfecting apparatuses, the one for the disinfection
of articles presumably infected with fever contagion,
the other for the sterilization of the for the most part verminous
clothing of persons who use the cleansing baths, have been
fully employed throughout the past year as the following
table shows:—
List of Articles disinfected during
Beds
Mattresses
Bolsters
Pillows
Sheets
Blankets
Other Articles
1901
508
623
516
1,431
896
2.276
2,863
1902.
619
647
59°
1,585
1,289
2,007
3,474
The vans were used in 1901 618 times, in 1902, 617.
CLEANSING OF PERSONS ACT.
The cleansing baths established in 1898 under the Act
of 1897 have been in continual use since March 2nd, 1898.
From that time until December 31st, 1902, the number of
baths given to males and females is no less than 19,888, or
roughly speaking, 20,000. Of course this does not mean 20,000
different individuals for the same person may, and often does,
come several times. In fact the deplorable state of personal
neglect that certain of these people are in, renders it impossible
for them to be thoroughly cleansed with one bath. The
parasites which infest the skin can only be effectually got rid
of by a number of successive cleansing operations.