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33
General Remarks.
Total Admissions. The admissions during 1905 amounted to 228,
being 74 more than in 1904, and slightly below the average of former years.
Diphtheria. 99 cases of this disease were admitted. Not only was
the proportion of Diphtheria cases unusually high (99 out of a total of 228)
but the total number of cases was in excess of the average (which is 57)
and of the previous highest total (85) in 1902. There were 14 deaths, giving a
case mortality of 141 per cent., which is slightly above our average mortality in
this disease. This was no doubt due to the large number of very severe cases
admitted during the late epidemic. Of the total number of cases, 70 were
admitted during the last four months of the year.
Scarlet Fever. 117 cases were admitted, compared with 97 during
the previous year, and an average of 165 for all years. This total promised
at one time to be much lower, but there was a sharp epidemic during the
last quarter which added 50 cases. One death occured, giving a case mortality
of 8 per cent, for the year, the lowest we have ever had.
Staff. One member of the staff was warded with Scarlet Fever during
the year. In spite of the Diphtheria wards being crowded for several months,
it is satisfactory to be able to report that none of the staff contracted the
disease, as frequently happens under these conditions. Four members of the
staff were warded for various other complaints.