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19
Scarlet Fever.—There were 934 cases of scarlet fever notified
during 1901 but of these, 8 cases were subsequently discovered not
to be scarlet fever, thus reducing the total to 926. This is an
increase of 269 on the number notified during 1900 and gives an
attack rate of 4.2 per 1,000 living. The deaths from this disease
recorded during the year numbered 23 and are equal to a death
rate of 2.4 per cent. attacked and .11 per 1,000 living. Of the total
notified 716 or 76 per cent. were removed to hospital. The disease
was wide spread over the district but did not appear to be associated
in any marked manner with school attendance or milk supplies.
One small outbreak occurred in an institution, the Salvation Army
Home for Mothers and Children, Upper Springfield, Clapton.
Seventeen cases occurred here within the space of a week, the
original source of infection being one of the inmates who fell ill
with a mild attack of scarlet fever which remained unrecognised
until several other inmates had been attacked. By removal to
hospital of all cases as soon as attacked and the isolation of suspected
cases, together with the usual measures of disinfection, the outbreak
was confined to comparatively narrow limits and brought to an end.
On reference to the chart furnished with this report, it will be seen
that there is a sudden rise in the notifications in the last week of
July. This rise above the average is almost entirely due to the
above mentioned outbreak. The disease was at its maximum
prevalence in the month of October and at its minimum during the
months of January, February, March and April.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—During the year 989 cases
of diphtheria and 17 membranous croup were notified. Of these 28
were subsequently found not to be suffering from this disease, the total
notified cases being thus reduced to 961. This is equal to an attack
rate of 4 3 per 1,000 living. The deaths numbered 95, which is
equivalent to a mortality of 9.8 per cent. on those attacked and
.43 per 1,000 living persons. The disease was at its lowest point
of prevalence during the first three months of the year. In the