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17
63—Scarlet Fever.—There was a considerable decline in the
prevalence of this disease in the 12 months ended March, 31st,
1895.
64—Observations through a series of years show that scarlet
fever tends to become epidemic at intervals of about five years, and
it would appear that the Croydon curve of periodic incidence
reached its maximum in 1893, was on the decline in 1894, and
entered the period of minimum prevalence in 1895.
65—Altogether 227 cases were notified from 149 houses. The
disease was of generally a mild type and low mortality, and
consequently many parents were unaware of the nature of what
appeared to them an apparently trivial illness and allowed their
children to attend school when in an infectious condition.
66—The appended chart shows the rise and fall in the number
of scarlet fever cases notified during each week. The greatest
incidence was in the third week of July, and was due to school
attendance. The drop in the following four weeks corresponding
with the vacation period was particularly marked.

Average Case Fatality l.8 per cent.