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8
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
SCARLET FEVER.
The incidence of scarlet fever was extremely light until
the last quarter of the year when the number of cases
began to rise slightly. Forty-eight cases were notified
during the year, a rate of 1.29 per 1,000 population.
Thirty-nine cases were treated in hospital and nine at
home. Two instances of "return case" infection occurred.
DIPHTHERIA.
The diphtheria incidence remained on a low level,
eight cases being notified, a rate of 0.21 per 1,000 population.
Of these three were adult cases. None of the cases
had been previously immunised. Although it has never
been claimed that it is impossible to contract diphtheria
after immunisation, the value of the treatment proves
itself year after year in this district. Invariably the
diphtheria notifications are drawn from that section of
the population which is still not immunised. Considering
the comparatively high proportion of children which is in
fact now immunised the most hardened sceptic would find
it hard to explain away the freedom of this group from
attack. (At the end of the year it was estimated that of the
children living in the district age 1-5, 55 per cent, have
been immunised and of children age 5-15, 65 per cent,
have been immunised). At the end of the year arrangements
were being made to make personal calls at the homes
of those children who still remain unprotected, and it is
hoped that good results will ensue.
The total number of children immunised during the
year was 1,589, the highest figure yet reached in one year.
The following statistics refer to immunisation carried
out during the year :—
Number of cases completing treatment by
M.O.H. during the year (pre-school children
597, school children 914) 1,511