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18
Pneumonia.
98 cases of acute primary pneumonia and influenzal pneumonia
were notified. Of deaths from pneumonia, 37 were due to
lobar pneumonia, 69 to broncho pneumonia and 54 to pneumonia
of which the type was not mentioned.
Malaria, Dysentery, Encephalitis Lethargica.
21 cases of malaria were notified, with 0 deaths.
4 cases of dysentery were notified, with 2 deaths. All cases
of these two diseases were introduced from abroad. None arose
in the town originally.
4 cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified, with 1 death.
Tuberculosis.
The general work at the tuberculosis dispensary is fully detailed
in the section of the tables dealing with tubercle. A total of
805 new cases were medically examined during the year, and the
total number of medical examinations made was 7,122. This—in
view of the necessarily very careful nature of the examinations—
means a large volume of work. In spite of this, it is impossible to
give adequate attention to the " contacts " with cases of tuberculosis—one
of the most important of the preventive sections of this
field of public health work. It is certain that if we are to keep
proper supervision of tubercular disease in the borough the staff
apportioned for this duty will have to be increased at an early date.
The total number of cases who received treatment at Sanatoria
and other outside institutions in 1920 was 335, and at the Borough
Hospital 73.
The shortage of houses gives rise to most serious difficulties in
arranging suitable living conditions at home for tuberculous
persons just as it is doing in relation to all other infectious
diseases.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum, 1920.
During the year 39 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were
notified. Of these 29 recovered, 2 died, 2 left the district, 3 were
not seen (1 parent objected, 2 notified from Infirmary), 1 left eye
slightly affected, and 2 both eyes slightly affected.
THE WORK OF THE HEALTH VISITORS.
This is set out in the accompanying table and again shows a
large mass of useful work, conscientiously and efficiently performed.