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19
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.
Small Pox.
25 cases of Small Pox were notified during the year with no
deaths.
Number of Vaccinations.
Primary 1,774
Re-vaccinations 451
2,228
Scarlet Fever.
The number of Scarlet Fever cases notified was 743, of which
328 were admitted to Hospital. Only 3 deaths occurred. Scarlet
Fever has changed in character during the past 20 years, from
being a disease of considerable severity to one of comparative
mildness, and this accounts for the increased number of cases.
A case is admitted to the Hospital, and upon enquiry into the
source of infection one often finds another member of the family
has had a mild attack, which had not been diagnosed.
Diphtheria.
578 cases of Diphtheria were notified, with 42 deaths, as
against 669 cases with 55 deaths in 1928. 551 cases were treated
in Hospital. For those cases treated at home the Corporation
provided Anti-toxin free to all medical practitioners in
the Borough for the patients who were unable to afford the cost.
Free bacteriological examination of "swabs" from the nose and
throat of suspicious cases and contacts are made for medical
practitioners (see p. 18). The majority of practitioners take full
advantage of this service, and it is only when they neglect to do so
that serious cases are admitted to Hospital with unfortunate
results, as the early administration of Anti-toxin is a sure remedy
for the disease.
Schick Immunisation Clinic.
During the period 27th September, 1929, to 28th March, 1930,
224 infants and children have received three inoculations and in
these cases immunity to diphtheria should be established.