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These were as follows:—
Palatal Paralysis 12
Palatal, Ocular and Pharyngeal
Paralysis 1
Palatal and Pharyngeal Paralysis 4
Ocular Paralysis 1
Mild Endocarditis 2
Late Endocarditis 1
Otorrhœa 6 (right 3, left 2,
double 1)
Otorrhcea and Rhinorrhœa 1
Nephritis 1
Peronychia 1
Total 29
This complication rate is very similar to that which obtained
for 1934, but is, if anything, rather higher. This is explained by
the fact that the type of' diphtheria admitted was definitely more
severe than has been the case for the past few years, with the
exception of last year when the complication rate was also high.
The complications responded excellently to treatment in every case.
In this connection it must, be remembered that the incidence of late
paralysis in diphtheria is in some ways satisfactory, as it means
that patients who might otherwise have died have survived to the
period when paralysis occurs and when ultimate recovery can be
hopefully expected.
Deaths.—Seventeen deaths occurred during the year, as against
19 in 1934. The deaths occurred from the following diseases:—
Diphtheria 6
Scarlet Fever and Mastoid Abscess 1
Scarlet Fever and Congenital Heart Disease 1
Scarlet Fever and Polio-encephalitis 1
Erysipelas 3
Whooping-cough and Broncho-pneumonia 3
Mea sles and Broncho-pneumonia 1
Lobar Pneumonia 1
Three patients died within 24 hours of admission to hospital,
one surviving less than 4 hours.
The death-rate from diphtheria was just under 3.3, remarkably
satisfactory considering the type of disease for which the patients
were admitted, and one of the lowest ever recorded at the hospital.
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