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32
There has been an extensive outbreak of scarlet fever, which
prevailed during the greater part of the year. Thanks to the
provisions of the Infectious Disease Notification Act, the
epidemic never assumed the proportions it would otherwise
have attained had I not been made aware of the existence of
each case at its commencement. I was enabled to form an
opinion as to the possibility of isolation anil the nursing
obtainable in each case. Where considered advisable every
legitimate effort was made to have the case removed to
hospital, and I am glad to say, with a very few exceptions,
this was effected without friction either with the friends or the
medical attendant. The disease was bo universally spread
over the district, that without the facilities I possessed, there
must have been recorded a very much higher death-rate from
that disease alone.
There was also a severe outbreak of Measles during the
year, which was the cause of death in 50 cases. I cannot help
feeling that if this disease came under the provisions of the
Infectious Disease Notification Act, and accommodation were
to be had 111 suitable hospitals, the mortality would be much
less. The surroundings of many of these cases and the want
of knowledge of proper nursing were 6uch as to leave little
hope for the recovery of the patients.
The death-rate of children under one year has been considerably
in excess of the average. I have gone into these
cases as far as possible, and endeavoured to ascertain the
circumstances connected with each. The result of my investigations
ba-> b.en to convince me that this excessive mortality
occurs largel) in the offspring of early marriages among the
very poor, the, children born under such circuinstam es being
naturally constitutionally weak, and being separated from
their mothers, who are out at work for the greater part cf the
day, tiitjy are given a dietary which they are quite unable to
assimilate.
Another matter to which I desire to draw attention is the
deplorable want oi domestic and personal cleanliness which
prevails among the poorest classes of the community. I have
no hesitation in saying that it baths and washhouses were
placed within reach of this class the result would be highly
advantageous to the health of the district.