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7
The facilities for diagnosis of doubtful cases by way of bacteriological
examination are ample, but many first or primary cases in a
family were only discovered by me when examining them as "contacts."
There is no charge made for examinations of swabs nor for
Anti-toxin serum if injected gratuitously by the doctor in attendance.
During the year, in a considerable number of the children under
treatment for Otorrhoea, Diphtheria bacilli were found, and these
children with carrier cases (80 in all) were a source of great anxiety.
They were kept under constant observation and had treatment
daily at the School Clinic.
A few of the cases were believed to have caused Diphtheria in
others—and these, and those where no proper isolation could be
effected in the homes, were removed to the Isolation Hospital.
Encephalitis Lethargica (Sleepy Sickness). Sporadic cases of
this disease occurred throughout the Country in January. In
February 2 cases arose here, followed by 4 in March, 8 in April, 7 in
May, declining to 2 in September and 1 in October.
Altogether 28 cases were notified and 6 deaths were registered.
All the cases were visited and the usual precautions taken.
There was no spreading by contact as far as I could make out
except in two instances—a teacher contracted the disease in a mild
form from one of the scholars who was in attendance during the
early stages of her illness, and a nursing sister contracted the disease
in a severe form from a pupil patient.
Two cases occurred in one road in almost adjoining houses. The
illness of both started on the same date and no casual relationship
between them could be traced.
The ages of the patients were:—
5-10 10-15 15-20 20-30 30-40 40 years
years. years. years. years. years, and upwards.
4 4 2 6 5 7
All the cases were re-visited towards the end of the year.
Seventeen of the cases were removed to Hospital, and of these
4 died.
Of the sufferers of School age, 1 died ; 3 apparently have completely
recovered ; 3 are, I fear, hopeless wrecks, and 1 suffers .
from irritability and insomnia at night, is dull and slow in all his
movements and suffers from a complete change in his moral outlook.