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The whole of the Diphtheria patients, and eighteen of the Scarlet Fever patients, were treated
at the Isolation Hospital.
Three of these patients—two certified as suffering from Diphtheria and one Scarlet Fever—were
discharged after a few days treatment; the illness proving to be other than that certified.
Enteric Fever.—The only case of this disease was evidently contracted abroad; or while the
patient was on board ship on the voyage home from Sweden.
Scarlet Fever.—This disease was prevalent in the early part of the year; only three cases being
notified during the latter six months.
The cases were simply sporadic ones.
One death occurred from this disease; this being the only case of death from Scarlet Fever
among the residents of this district during the last fourteen years.
Diphtheria.—An outbreak of Diphtheria commenced at the beginning of September, and
continued to the close of the year.
The outbreak was evidently the result of contact among the children attending the Public
Elementary Schools at Hampton Hill; accentuated by a number of unrecognised carrier cases, particularly
among the boys.
With a view to stamping out the outbreak and to find any carrier who might be attending
school; the whole of the scholars at the boys' school were examined by the School Medical Officers and
myself; and a number of swabs were taken during this examination; and at other inspections by the
Medical Inspector.
Prompt measures were taken to isolate the patients; all being removed to the Isolation
Hospital; and the schools were cleansed and all utensils, desks, etc. were disinfected.
In addition all contacts from infected houses were excluded from school for fourteen days.
All patients treated in the Hospital for Diphtheria are excluded from school for four weeks after
the date of discharge,
With a view to the early detection of cases of this disease, the Council are prepared to pay
for the bacteriological examination of swabs from patients who are not in a position to meet the expense
of such examination, so as to obtain a definite diagnosis at the earliest moment.
This is of the utmost importance, as the patient has greater likelihood of recovery when the
treatment is commenced in the early stages of the disease.
Phthisis.—There is no system of notification—either voluntary or compulsory—for cases of this
disease in the District, beyond that provided for poor persons by the Public Health (Tuberculosis)
Regulations of 1908.
Six deaths were registered from this disease during the year.
Two persons were notified under the Regulations mentioned; one of whom was already in the
Infirmary, and the other was removed to the same Institution a few days after notification.