View report page

14
THE FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
on the
MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
By ARTHUR G. TROUP, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Superintendent.
The total number of patients admitted to Hospital during 1944 was 1,519, as compared with 1,985 in 1943.
Cerebrospinal Fever.
9 cases of Cerebro-spinal Fever were admitted to Hospital during the year, and for the second successive
year I have to record that no deaths occurred. Our statistics now show a mortality rate of 5.6 per cent. amongst the
71 cases treated with a sulphonamide drug during the past 6 years, as compared with a mortality rate of 40 per cent.
for the 20 years, 1919-1938 inclusive, during which time serum therapy was employed.
Diphtheria.
Only 17 cases of authenticated Diphtheria were admitted during 1944, and of these 3 were Service sick and
1 from an outside area. 31 patients who were certified as suffering from this disease, and 15 others who were sent
in for observation, were finally diagnosed as Tonsillitis 39, Laryngitis 4, Vincent's Angina 2, and Quinsy 1. The
great majority of the Tonsillitis cases were due to a Haemolytic Streptococcal infection. The 17 Diphtheria cases
were classified as 16 Faucial and 1 Naso-Pharyngeal. No deaths occurred.

The peak year was 1922 with 673 cases and 56 deaths.
Enteric Fever.
The only case of Enteric Fever admitted was a Merchant Navy sailor, who was infected in North Africa.
Puerperal Infections.
The 18 Puerperal cases admitted to Hospital were diagnosed as follows :—
Local Uterine Sepsis 2 Anaemia 1
Phlebitis 2 Septic Episiotomy Wound 1
Abortion 1 Mammary Abscess 7
Retained Placenta 1 Mastitis 3
No deaths occurred.
Scarlet Fever.
There was a decrease in the number of Scarlet Fever cases admitted during the year, 312, as compared with
45? for 1943. As mentioned in last year's report, it has been found possible to cut down the period of detention in
Hospital for the majority of these cases to 21 days from the commencement of the illness. During 1943, 52 per cent,
of the patients were discharged between the 21st and the 25th day. The corresponding figure for 1944 was 66 per cent.
Other Diseases.
Tonsillitis 44 Erythema 2
Rubella 27 Cellulitis 2
Enteritis 19 Herpes 2
Dysentery 12 Ophthalmia Neonatorum 2
Chicken-Pox 12 Quinsy 1
Bronchitis 10 Gingivitis 1
Mumps 5 Pleurisy 1
Influenza 4 Scurvy 1
Dermatitis 4 Haematuria 1
Adenitis 3 Cerebellar Abscess 1
Pneumonia 3 Glandular Fever 1
Laryngitis 3 Malignant Endocarditis 1
Impetigo 3 Acute Leukemia 1
Otitis Media 2 Myelitis 1
Vincent's Angina 2 Pemphigus Neonatorum 1
Tuberculous Meningitis 2 Negative Cases 4
Total Number : 178.
6 deaths occurred, 2 from Tuberculous Meningitis, 2 from Pneumonia, 1 from Acute Leukemia and 1 from
Malignant Endocarditis.
Marasmus Cases.
27 Marasmic infants were admitted during the year, and the total under treatment was 28. The former may
be classified as follows :—
Gastro-Enteritis 21 Malnutrition 6
6 deaths occurred.