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15
Among the children, 12 in number, who were not attending
School, the probable source of infection was found in 5
cases only.
Thus of the total number of Diphtheria cases, the source
of infection was traced or surmised in rather less than a third
of the cases (31 per cent.).
In the Scarlet Fever cases, about 41 per cent, were accounted
for.
In my past Reports, I have referred to the similarity of infection
in these two diseases, in their being both spread not
only by infection from the definite cases, which are recognised,
notified and promptly removed to Hospital, but by the indefinite
cases—the so-called " missed " and " carrier " cases, which
give us so much trouble, especially among the children attending
the Elementary Schools.
Among the well-to-do classes, the parents are better informed,
are able to be more watchful with regard to any little
ailment occurring in their children, and can obtain prompt
medical attention, and early isolation, all of which facts help
to minimise the risk of the occurrence of these indefinite cases.
There were apparently two " return " cases during the
year.
One occurred in a boy of 14 years, who fell ill 3 weeks
after the return of his sister from Hospital, where she had
been detained for 32 days.
Another was in a child of 4 years, who first showed signs
of Diphtheria eight days after the return of his brother from
Hospital, after a detention of 5 weeks.