View report page

70
Diphtheria.—This disease showed a slight decrease in
prevalence during 1926 as compared with the previous year,
the admissions being 172 less than in 1925. The majority of
the cases also were of a mild type as shown by the total
deaths, which numbered 13, which is the lowest figure recorded
during the past 31 years. It is impossible to say, however,
if this figure can be maintained.
The total number of cases under treatment during the
year was 751. Of these, 671 were discharged recovered, 13
died, and 67 remained under treatment at the end of the year.
Of the cases discharged, 38 suffered from paralysis, which was
severe in 13 cases and mild in 25 cases. The average amount
of antitoxin given to all cases was 13,000 units, and the average
duration of residence was 49.8 days.
Tracheotomy was performed in 36 cases on account of
faucial or laryngeal obstruction, and 7 of these proved fatal;
4 of the fatal cases suffered from severe faucial diphtheria,
2 were recovering from an attack of measles, and one suffered
from septic scarlet fever.
Fatal Cases:—The duration of illness of the 13 fatal
cases prior to admission averaged 3.5 days, and their average
age was 4 years. The fatality rate for all the cases admitted
was 2 percent. The amount of antitoxin administered to the
fatal cases averaged 67,000 units.
151 cases admitted as Diphtheria proved to be wrongly
diagnosed, and were found after admission to be suffering
from the following complaints: —
Tonsillitis 98, Laryngitis 17, Scarlet Fever 10, Measles
6, Bronchitis 4, Broncho-pneumonia 7, Pneumococcal Meningitis
1, Retro-pharyngeal abscess 2, Lymphadenomn 1,
Ulcerative pharyngitis 1, Quinsy 1. Vincent's Angina 1. Miliary
Tuberculosis 1, Thrush 1.
Typhoid Fever.—23 cases notified as Typhoid Fever were
admitted during the year. Of these, R proved to be suffering
from the disease. All recovered. Perforation occurred in one
case, which recovered after operation. The other 15 cases
were found after admission to be suffering from the following
complaints : —
Enteritis 5. Gastro-enteritis 3. Pneumonia 2. Parametritis
1, Cvstitis 1. Nephritis 1, Duodenal Ulcer 1, Tubercular Peritonitis
1.
Measles.—This disease was very prevalent in the Borough
at the beginning of the year, and 85 severe cases were admitted.
13 of these cases had been notified as Scarlet Fever