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(3)
Whooping Cough.—No deaths were attributed to Whooping Cough and very
few cases occurred.
Measles.—This Disease was very prevailent during the month of May, and
it was found necessary to close the infant department of the Benhilton, Crown Road,
New Town, and West Street Board Schools for three weeks in the early part of June.
Three deaths occurred from measles.
Diarrhœa.—Nine deaths were attributed to Diarrhoea. During the hot
weather hand bills were distributed calling attention to the causes of Summer
Diarrhœa, and the means to be taken by householders in endeavouring to prevent
this disease which is so disastrous to child life.
Zymotic Death Rate.—The total number of deaths from the seven principal
epidemic diseases was 12, viz.: nine from Diarrhœa, and three from Measles, giving
a zymotic death rate of .7 per thousand of the estimated population, as compared
with 1.2, the average for the preceding ten years. The rate for the whole of
England and Wales during the year was 1.9 and for 142 smaller towns 2.02.
As to the other Diseases which require Notification under the above Act.
Membranous Croup—No notified cases.
Puerperal Fever.—One death was attributed to Puerperal Fever.
Erysipelas.—One case of erysipelas was notified during the year. No deaths.
Continued Fever. — No cases were notified.
Summary of further proceedings which were taken to prevent the
spread of some of these diseases.
Each house, on receipt of notification of infectious disease existing therein, is
immediately visited, and isolation or removal to Isolation Hospital insisted on as
may be requisite; the premises are examined, and notice given to remedy any
defects that may be found; information as regards the milk supply, laundry, schools,
attended by children, etc., is obtained, and necessary steps taken to prevent the
disease spreading by these means; disinfectants for use during illness are supplied
where necessary; after the recovery or removal of a patient the disinfection of the
rooms and contents is required, according to the nature of the case, bedding,
clothing, etc., being taken to the Isolation Hospital for disinfection in the Washington
Lyon Steam Disinfector.
In all cases where infection seems to point to schools, they are visited and the
children inspected, which has been necessary on five occasions during the year.
Bacteriological Diagnosis.—For the purpose of assisting in the diagnosis of
doubtful cases of enteric fever and diphtheria, the necessary materials for taking;
specimens are supplied to the medical practitioners by the Sanitary Authority, and
may be obtained at the Municipal Offices ; the cost of examination of the specimens
by the Lister Institute being defrayed by the Council. This has been taken
advantage of frequently, and has proved of great service.
Pulmonary Consumption and other Tubercular Diseases.—Although these are
not notifiable under the Act, it has been conclusively established that they are
infectious, and extremely so where a predisposition to the disease exists. Consumption
causes by far the greatest fatality of any infectious disease, and during the