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55
Diphtheria.
The incidence of this disease has again diminished,
the number of notifications received being 261 compared
with 293 for the previous year. As in former years the
bulk of cases occurred between the ages of one and
15 years.
Of the total cases notified. 251 were admitted to the
Joint Hospital, seven to other Isolation Hospitals and
three remained at home. These latter cases were of a
mild type, the parents being willing to pay for the
necessary medical attention and were able to provide
adequate nursing. Also the homes of the patients
received regular visits by the Sanitary Inspector
throughout the course of the illness.
Home treatment of Diphtheria is not encouraged
as it is a disease characterised by surprises, therefore if it
presents severe or even moderate symptoms, it should
be, and is, removed to hospital. The three cases referred
to were kept at home by special request of the parents,
and as stated, were of a very mild nature.
Death Rate.
The second table on the previous page shows that
24 deaths were registered as due to Diphtheria, giving a
case mortality rate of 9.19 per cent. Though slightly
higher than in the previous year, it is not unduly high.
Secondary Cases.
There were 23 secondary cases; in one instance four
occurred in one family and six in another. One case
was notified as suffering from the disease which was also
contracted a few months previously. There was only
one return case.