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52
Diphtheria.—The number of cases of diphtheria notified
during the year was 142, compared with 123 in the previous year.
The case-rate for the district of 0.88 per thousand of population is,
however, less than the case-rate for England and Wales, which
is 1.58.
The distribution of cases according to age and the number
occurring in each Ward is shown in the table on page 50.
The occurrence of cases throughout the year was as follows:—
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. vSept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
14 22 14 9 12 6 9 11 6 15 15 9
Six deaths were recorded during the year, equivalent to a
death-rate of 0.04 per thousand of population and a mortality rate
of 4.2 per cent. of cases notified, compared with 0.01 and 1.63
respectively in the previous year. The death-rate for the district,
although higher on this occasion, is less than the death-rate of
0.07 recorded for England and Wales.
The arrangements for the immunization of children against
dipththeria through the school medical department were continued.
During the year 798 children were immunized, 279 being of school
age and 519 being under five years of age. The total number cf
children immunized since 1934 is now approximately 2,400. Further
information regarding immunization, including details of the
diphtheria prophylactic used, is given on page 79. The arrangements
for the supply of prophylactic at cost price to local medical
practitioners for their private patients has now been discontinued,
the demand falling to such an extent that it was difficult to keep
a fresh stock available.
Anti-toxin for the use of medical practitioners in cases suffering
or suspected to be suffering from diphtheria is supplied free of
charge for patients in poor circumstances and at cost price for other
patients. During the year 616,000 units of anti-toxin were issued.
Scarlet Fever.—The number of cases of scarlet fever notified
during the year was 383, compared with a total of 317 in the
preceding year. As the number of cases in each of the five years
1932 to 1936 had been 400 or more, the incidence of the disease