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many valuable lives will be saved. It has caused 31 deaths, 7 in children under 5
years old and 24 above that age. I would again repeat that it is the expectoration
which usually spreads the infection. I would advise that a vessel be always used
containing a disinfectant and that all rags, etc., containing sputum be burnt. That
the room be well ventilated and disinfected as frequently as practicable, and that
the sick person sleep alone. As cows milk carries the infection of this and all the
zymotic diseases, I advise that it should always be boiled. If phthisis were included
amongst the notifiable diseases I am convinced that it would be a great advantage to
the community.
Isolation Hospital.—This institution continues its career of usefulness, and
practically all cases of Scarlet Fever which occur in the town are removed there. I
am glad therefore that it has been made free to all and that the only cause of discontent
has been removed. There have not been so many patients this year, but
every month except August, some have been admitted. Its management is still
very popular with all, and Nurse Ward, assisted by her daughter, as Assistant Nurse,
has worked with her usual energy and devotion. It would be difficult to find anyone
who was at once so able and so zealous. I have again to tender my cordial thanks
to the head masters and mistresses of the various schools for their assistance in
detecting infectious diseases. Perhaps now that the children can be treated free of
cost at the Hospital, there will be a less tendency to concealment.
Number of cases admittted during the year.
Scarlet Fever 40
Patients under treatment December 31, 1897 31
„ discharged cured 65
„ died 1
„ under treatment, December 31 st, 1898 5
Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act.—Under this Act, I have received 81
certificates, viz:—
Scarlet Fever. Erysipelas. Diphtheria and Membranous Croup. Typhoid Fever.
46 18 11 6
Taken as a whole, this has been one of the worst years the town has experienced
for many years. The birth rate has been lower than usual and the death rate and
especially infant mortality have increased enormously. Whooping cough at the
beginning of the year and diarrhoea during the summer account for this to some
extent. I cannot give any specific cause for this increase except the usual ones
which are always in operation, and I feel convinced that we shall return quickly to our
normal condition of steady progress in the matter of health.
Mr. Abbot, the Sanitary Inspector, has supplied me with the following particulars:—
Summary of Nuisances dealt with during the year, 1898.