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75
THE FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
By ARTHUR G. TROUP, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Superintendent.
During 1935, 1,156 patients were admitted to hospital as compared with 1,425 in 1934, 1,201 in
1933, 869 in 1932, 842 in 1931 and 1,029 in 1930.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
Five cases of this disease were treated in hospital during the year and two deaths occurred.
One fatal case died within 12 hours of admission to hospital, and in connection with the other case
which died, the Bacteriologist of the Ministry of Health Laboratory reported that the meningococcus
isolated from the cerebro-spinal fluid did not belong to any of Gordons four types and that accordingly
the serum would not have any specific action.
Diphtheria.
364 cases were admitted to hospital as compared with 303 cases during 1934. These may be
classified as follows:—Faucial (including Faucial and Nasal) 269, Nasal 80, Laryngeal 10, Carriers 14,
Aural 3, Wound 2.
It was necessary to perform the operation of tracheotomy on two of the laryngeal cases, one
of which recovered and the other died.
The mortality rate of 4.07 per cent, for this year shows a slight decrease from last year (5.1
per cent.), but is considerably higher than the average for the five years 1929-1933. Of the 17 fatal
cases five died within 24 hours of admission to hospital and three within two days. The duration
of illness in these fatal cases was stated to be as follows, but there is reason to believe that in certain
of them the number of days given is understated :—
Day of Disease. Number of Cases.
2nd 4
3rd 7
4th 3
5th 2
6th 1