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13
DIPHTHERIA.
290 cases were notified during the year, of which 38 proved
fatal. This gives a case mortality of 13.10 percent., a compared
with 339 cases, 47 deaths, and a mortality of 13.82 during the
previous year.
During the latter part of the year the Council decided to
equip a bacteriological laboratory for the diagnosis of this disease.
It is hoped, therefore, that the statistics as to the prevalence
of Diphtheria will in future be more accurate, and also that by the
recognition of mild cases which previously escaped detection, it
will ultimately be the means of material y lessening the incidence
of this disease in the Borough.
SMALL POX.
No cases of this disease occurred during the year. I was
informed of a very suspicious case during December, and at the
request of the doctor in attendance, immediately visited the patient,
but after a careful examination I decided that it was not Small
Pox, and this decision was confirmed by the subsequent history,
for no other cases occurred.
DIARRHœA.
The deaths from Diarrhœa numbered 97, or 0.70 per 1000
of population. In the previous year the number was 189, and
1.61 per 1000.
There were also 22 deaths from Enteritis and Gastro Enteritis.
This gives a total of 119 deaths, 96 of these were of
children under one year of age.
This subject is more fully discussed under Infantile Mortality.
MEASLES.
48 deaths were certified as being due to Measles. Probably
no disease is more neglected than this. Parents almost without
exception thinking it an illness of very little consequence. Statistics
prove that this view is quite erroneous, but the delusion is
difficult to eradicate.
B