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Whenever such cases arise they get a wide publicity, in which
circumstance this danger is exaggerated, and whilst I do not wish
to say anything to minimise the reality of this unfortunate aspect
of vaccination I do want to say quite frankly that this danger is
nothing comparable to the present dangers from traffic, so that to
be logical those who are so bitterly opposed to vaccination ought
also to promote legislation making it a penal offence for anyone
to engage in methods of travel which have been introduced within
the last century.
I feel sure that the crux of the matter is an economic one and
unless we do something to deal with smallpox we shall find that our
export commerce is adversely affected, and I am sufficiently sceptical
to believe that when once this is realised we shall not hear a lot
more against vaccination.
(c) Diphtheria.—107 cases were notified, compared with 77
the preceding year. Of cases notified, 104 were removed and treated
in the local isolation hospital. No deaths from diphtheria occurred.
The average stay of clinical diphtheria in hospital was 36.08 days,
the longest stay being 111 and the shortest 13 days.
Sex.—46 cases were male and 61 female.
(d) Enteric Fever.—Four cases of enteric fever were notified
during the year, 3 of which were removed to hospital. In one case
the diagnosis was not confirmed.
(e) Puerperal Fever.—Two cases were notified during the
year, and both were admitted to hospital. The cases recovered.
(f) Puerperal Pyrexia.—Six cases were notified during the
year. All of the cases recovered.
(g) Erysipelas.—26 cases were notified during the year
compared with 30 during 1927. Four patients were removed to
hospital.
(h) Malaria and Trench Fever.—No cases were notified during
the year.