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2. LABORATORY WORK.
486 bacteriological examinations of "swabs" for the identification
of the diphtheria bacillus were carried out at the Hospital,
as compared with 449 in the year 1927.
3. THE PREVENTION OF ACUTE INFECTIOUS
DISEASE.
In my report for last year I endeavoured to emphasise the
importance of prophylactic inoculation (immunisation) and
vaccination as the chief modus operandi in any attempt to prevent
the occurrence of acute infectious disease. I also dealt with the
necessity for maintaining a high degree of natural immunity, more
especially in connection with dietary in early life and I laid special
stress on the part played by unhealthy naso-pharyngeal conditions
in allowing the infective virus a ready pathway into the tissues of
the body.
The following facts will serve to indicate the difficulties which
beset us in trying to bring people to realise the very great importance
of immunity, whether actively or passively acquired. The
occurrence of four cases of small-pox in children of school age in
the district called for increased care and vigilance in the admission
of patients to Hospital and, arising out of this fact, statistics have
been kept in regard to the condition as to vaccination of the
patients admitted. The figures are instructive and serve (a) as a
warning as to what might happen should small-pox infection be
introduced accidentally into the Hospital and (b) as an indication
of the attitude of so many people towards the question of
immunisation.