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Otorrhoea 7
(right 1. left 5,
double 1)
Palatal Paralysis and left Otorrhoea
1
Endocarditis (mild) 2
Total 25
The number of complications is slightly higher than in
previous years. This is due to the fact that the type of case
admitted was considerably more severe than previously. The complications
responded quickly and satisfactorily to treatment, and it
was possible to discharge the patients in a sound physical condition.
Deaths.—Nineteen deaths (3 adults and 16 children) occurred
during the year, 8 from diphtheria, 1 from influenzal meningitis,
1 from meningitis following measles, 1 from myocarditis following
acute tonsillit is, 2 from measles and diphtheria, 3 from measles and
broncho-pneumonia, 2 from septicaemia, and 1 from bronchopneumonia.
Five of the patients died within 24 hours of admission, one
case surviving only 4 hours.
General Treatment.—The treatment carried out at the
Hospital during the year followed, in the main, the lines laid down
in previous Reports, with the exception that larger doses of serum
were administered to diphtheria patients, while serum was more
extensively used in the treatment of scarlet fever patients. In
addition, steps were taken to counteract the possibility of severe
paralysis or fatal cardiac failure in diphtheria by the administration
of glucose and adrenalin. I hope during the incoming year to
amplify this treatment by the adoption of an even later technique,
while direct laryngoscopy and suction are also being adopted in the
treatment of laryngeal diphtheria. As mentioned in an earlier
portion of the Report, a modified method for treating scarlet fever
patients is being adopted. A report submitted on this question will
be found in appendix 3 of this Report.
The ultra-violet and infra-red apparatus once more proved its
usefulness during the year. The following tables set out the work
performed—
58