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hospital. The attack of diphtheria was very slight, and if the
diphtheria organisms had not been found to be present, the condition
would have been described as tonsillitis. The organisms were only
found on the third swabbing and not in large numbers, the child
therefore had a considerable degree of resistance although, unfortunately,
not an absolute protection against infection. In the
clinic is displayed a notice reading "Your child is not safe against
diphtheria until a certificate is signed by the Medical Officer of the
Clinic," and in this particular case the parents of the child realised
that, in the opinion of the Medical Officer of the clinic, the child
could not be regarded as immune against diphtheria until a re-test
had been carried out and a certificate of immunity issued. It is
pleasing to note, however, that the other five children of the family
continued their attendance. Despite the fact that they had all been
sleeping in the same room as the patient prior to her removal to
hospital, not one contracted the disease, and subsequently they
received certificates of immunity.
Enteric Fever.—During the year under consideration 2 cases
of enteric fever and 3 cases of paratyphoid B fever were notified.
One of the persons notified as suffering from enteric fever was found,
on admission to hospital, not to be affected with this disease.
The actual number of cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever
occurring during the year was, therefore, four. This shows a
decrease of four on the number of cases that occurred during 1929.
The attack-rate was 0.02 per 1,000 inhabitants, compared with
0.07 for England and Wales.
Three of the cases were removed to hospital.
There was 1 death from typhoid fever in the Borough last year.
During the year 30 specimens of blood from persons suspected
to be suffering from enteric fever were submitted to Widal's test.
All gave a negative reaction.
Continued Fever.—There were no notifications of continued
fever in the Borough during the year.
Typhus Fever.—There was not any notification of typhus fever
in the Borough during the year.
Puerperal Fever.—There were 4 cases of puerperal fever notified
during 1930; 3 of these were removed to hospital. The deaths
from puerperal septicaemia numbered 2. The attack-rate for the
year was 1.1 per 1,000 births, and the death-rate 0.57 per 1,000
births.