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among normal patients. During the year 143 swabs were
taken from convalescent patients and from contacts for the
presence of hemolytic streptococci as follows:—
(i) 44 of which proved positive.
(ii) 99 of which proved negative.
Diphtheria.
Forty-four cases were notified during the year, giving
an attack rate of 0.7 per 1,()00 of the ]M)pulation. All of
the cases were admitted to hospital. There were 4 deaths,
giving a death rate of 0.07 compared with 0.03 of the
previous year. This rise in the death rate was due to two
factors, the virulence of the infection and delay in calling
medical aid early in the disease.
The delay in the administration of anti-toxin is
primarily caused by the parent overlooking the seriousness
of the complaint, medical aid being sought only when the
child is “ in extremis.” There is, on the other hand, a
tendency to keep the child at home pending the result of
a throat swab examination. This practice is liable to be
dangerous causing a delay in the correct form of treatment
and a danger in spreading the infection. The chief safeguard
against this serious infectious disease lies in the
immunisation of susceptible children. A weekly Immunising
Clinic was held throughout the year at which 90G
attendances were made. Patients attend this clinic purely
of their own volition, and this gives an indication of the
extent of the public response to a service which undoubtedly
offers a protection against a disease that last year caused
deaths in 9 per cent, of those attacked.
Smallpox.
No cases were reported during the year 1935.
The Vaccination Officers have kindjy furnished the
following figures of vaccinations during 1935:—
Births registered, in 1934.
Successfully vaccinated
Unsuccessfully vaccinated
Declarations of conscientious object
ions 378
Died unvaccinated 18