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34
Only in a few cases was it possible to determine accurately the source of
infection; in 18 it proved to be in the home of the patient, and in four instances from
a previous case in his own family. One patient was believed to have obtained his
infection at school and another from a previous case in the neighbourhood.
Scarlet Fever.
The notifications of this disease numbered 411. This is the highest figure for
any year since 1909, when 458 were notified. In 1908 the number was 409 and in
1912 259.
The chart inserted at the beginning of this report shows the number of cases
reported week by week throughout the year and the relation which the figure has to
the average of the previous 10 years.
The highest number reported in any one week was 18.
The total deaths from scarlet fever numbered 10, and the number of deaths per
cent. of the cases was 2.4.
The districts to suffer most from this disease were Christ Church and St. John.
In the former there were 178 cases and in the latter 103. In All Souls there were 69
and in St. Mary 61.
As usual, the majority of the patients were children of school age; the age
group, 5-15, giving more than half (251) of the total. Of the remainder 97 were
aged between 1 and 5 years.
The source of infection was believed to be a previous case in the same family
in 52 cases. In 9 cases a patient had been previously notified to be suffering in the
same house.
Though it seemed probable that many of the children notified acquired their
infection in school, it was only in 6 instances that a definite connection could be
made out.
Defects in sanitation to the number of 97 were discovered. Of these, 92 were
want of cleanliness, &c., and 5 defects in drainage. The nuisances were remedied
after the service of notice in each case.
Enteric Fever.
There were eight more cases of enteric fever in 1913 than in 1912, the numbers
being 19 and 11. The majority of the cases originated outside the Borough, and in
one case only was contaminated food-in this instance fish-believed to be the
source of infection.
The deaths numbered 5 in all, which gives a case mortality of 26.3.
The cases were distributed as follows: St. Mary, 8; Christ Church, 6; and All
Souls, 5. Two of the deaths occurred in All Souls and 2 in St. Mary.
Examination of the premises resulted in the discovery of nuisances in 9
instances. The drainage was found to be defective in 2 of the premises.