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14
Infectious Diseases.
The following table gives the number of cases of notifiable
ailments that occurred during the year, with age, district, and
number removed to Hospital.
Taking the points in o.rder and comparing with previous
years, the following will be noted :—
Scarlet Fever shows a slight tendency to rise, and gives some
reason to believe that the disease will become prevalent during
the fall of the current year.
Diphtheria. --The sequence with respect to this disease is
marked, and justified the prophecy which has since been verified
that the disease was likely to maintain its position.
The figures fo.r the four years are 86, 126, 93, and 98.
Diphtheria was present in epidemic form in 1903, 1904, 1905,
1906 and 1907. From 1908 to 1914 the cases average about 25
each year. Under ordinary circumstances the present year should
be the last of the series of excessive prevalence, and should be
followed by four or five years quiescence. In view of the housing
conditions it would be unwise to modify administrative action on
this expectation.