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Influenza.
Influenza was fairly prevalent in the early months of
the year, but was not of a severe character. Fourteen deaths
were attributed to this disease.
Castro Enteritis.
At the end of December, 1934, an outbreak of an obscure
form of gastro-enteritis started among the children in
Nazareth House. The symptoms were vomiting and slight
diarrhoea with pale stools, rapid dehydration and collapse,
with death in two to four days. The outbreak spread fairly
rapidly. Out of 39 infants in one dormitory only 12 escaped
the disease and of those attacked no less than 21 succumbed.
The majority of the children in this institution are unwanted
or deserted infants—nearly all illegitimate—and their
physical condition is very poor indeed and undoubtedly this
was the main reason for the high mortality. In dealing with
this outbreak I received valuable advice and assistance from
Dr. Sturdee of the Ministry of Health. Many specimens of
vomited matter and excreta were submitted to bacteriological
and chemical examination at the laboratories of the Ministry
of Health but with negative results.
Erysipelas.
Nineteen cases were notified and there was one death.
Smallpox.
No case of Smallpox occurred in 1934.
Vaccinations.
No primary or re-vaccinations were performed by the
Medical Officer of Health under the Public Health (Smallpox
Prevention) Regulations, 1917.
Immunisation.
No children were immunised against Diphtheria in 1934.
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