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9
of any case where the sanitary authority's help or
attention is likely to be useful.
Excluding tubercular cases, this affords a notifiable
rate of 4.78 cases per 1,000 of the population, and
compares very favourably with other large towns, such
places, for instance, as Torquay and Leamington being
only slightly lower.
Notwithstanding the considerable number of scarlatina
attacks, no case terminated fatally; but four
children died of diphtheria. The enteric fever patients,
without doubt, contracted the disease outside the
borough; at all events, in each case there was the
strongest presumptive evidence to that effect. Two
cases ended fatally.
The Isolation Hospital received for treatment 172
of the total number of 271 cases notified, viz., 140
scarlatina patients, twenty-seven suffering from diphtheria,
and two from enteric fever. There is every
reason to feel satisfied with the administration of this
institution, and the treatment of the patients, under
the respective care of the matron and its medical
officer.
The hospital death-rate on admissions was 1.19
percent.
With regard to the general sanitary administration
of the borough, I believe the accompanying forms
will give full information of the amount of work performed
by the sanitary staff. Their duties have been
carried out systematically and continuously, and my
thanks are due to Mr. Hill and his colleagues. "House
to house" inspections have received special attention,
and form a not inconsiderable part of the duties. It
is hardly necessary to refer in detail to the inspections
under the " Factory and Workshops Act," etc., as the
requirements in connection with them have been efficiently
and regularly complied with, and close attention
has been directed to the condition of dairies, milk shops,
etc., which, without exception, are in a proper sanitary
condition. It will be noticed that the total number of inspections
and re-inspections amounted to 12,501 during
the year. This is an increase of 3,327 over those made