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114
DIPHTHERIA.
There has been a diminution of this disease as compared
with the previous year, 73 cases for 1909 as against 95 in
1908. At the same time it is higher than it should be,
though it is difficult to know how it can be reduced at
present. The change at Highlands was very noticeable,
only one case during the past year, as compared with 46 in
the previous one. At Uphall there was an outbreak of five
cases in October, and of these four were fatal; partly due
to delay in treatment, and partly, apparently, to the virulence
of the microbe. With that exception there is nothing special
to say about the cases. On examining the table it will be
seen there is a case here and a case there fairly evenly
distributed through the year. The holidays seem to have
some effect in limiting the spread. In July there was no
case, and only one in August.
The diminution in the number of children in one class
may have a beneficial effect in not having so many children
collected together in one class room, and so improving the
air space, ventilation, etc. It is essentially a disease that
spreads from person to person, although, undoubtedly, air
vitiated from any cause seems to favour and assist in the
growth of the bacillus in the throat. Teachers arc alwaysurged
to exclude children with sore throats, as it is easy
for Diphtheria to be grafted on, so to speak, an ordinary
sore throat. There are always potentialities for mischief in
sore throats, and therefore it is better to err on the safe
side, and exclude.
There were six deaths from this disease amongst
children of school age.