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There were 12 deaths from Diphtheria giving a case mortality of 7.5
per cent.
Of the fatal cases 4 were males aged 5—9 years; and 8 were females
one being 4 years, 4 being 5—9 years, and 3 being 10—14 years of age.
Serum is available for the use of medical practitioners on application,
but it is usually administered at the hospital on admission.
Cases are admitted to the Isolation hospital on a clinical diagnosis
and practitioners are advised not to wait for a report on a swab.
SCHICK TESTING AND ARTIFICIAL IMMUNISATION.
Cases of Diphtheria having occurred in a residential school Dr. E.
James, Medical Superintendent of the Isolation Hospital, very kindly
schick-tested 23 boarders and administered immunising doses of T.A.F.
to 18 of the 20 children who were found to be positive to the test. At
the end of the year these children had not been retested as a sufficient
period had not elapsed since the last immunising injection.
Measles.
During the year 731 cases of Measles were reported by Head Teachers
as occurring among school children.
There were 6 deaths from Measles, the rate per 1,000 population being
0.11.
The ages at death were: 17—20 months in three instances : one 3
years : one 6 years: and.one 13 years.
The complications stated on the death certificates being the determining
causes of death were: Broncho-pneumonia (3): Purpura (1): Otitis
Media (1): Adenitis (1).
Five of the six cases were treated in hospital.
When the new wards to be provided under the scheme now under
consideration by the Joint Hospital Board have been built it is hoped
that it will be possible to admit all cases of Measles and Whooping Cough
with complications needing hospital treatment.
Whenever the accommodation in the Isolation Hospital permits
such cases will take precedence over mild uncomplicated cases of Scarlet
Fever when the latter can be isolated at home satisfactorily.
Whooping Cough.
The incidence of Whooping Cough was low. One death, that of a
child aged 16 months was certified.
Abortus Fever.
One case, that of a person being treated in a general hospital outside
the District, was reported to be suffering from this infection. The source
could not be traced.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were 2 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum during the year.
Both were treated at home and recovered with no scarring of the cornea.
Tetanus.
One death, that of a man aged 23 years was certified to be due to
Tetanus, following an injury to the leg.