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14
well. In two of the cases the nasal passages were chiefly
implicated. The cases were distributed amongst four
different streets and roads.
It is now known that diphtheria can be carried in
the throat, for a considerable time after convalescence
from the disease.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
No case has been notified in this district since 1901.
ERYSIPELAS.
Fourteen cases of this disease were notified. Death
occurred in one of these, which was complicated with
Influenza. They were sporadic in character, and generally
of a mild type.
MEASLES.
An extensive epidemic of Measles occurred in the
Autumn, but no deaths resulted from this cause. Many
of the cases were of a severe type with pulmonary complications.
WHOOPING COUGH.
This disease was very prevalent during the early
months of the year, and caused two deaths. This is one of
the diseases of children which is frequently fatal through
neglect. Many people have peculiar views in regard to
the treatment of children while suffering from it. But
the fact that the epidemic resulted in only 2 fatal cases
seems to prove that parents have become better informed
as to the dangers of this complaint, which lay chiefly in
the lung complications so liable to develop in the course
of the illness, especially if the patients are exposed to
cold winds.
ENTERIC FEVER.
Only one case of enteric fever was notified during
1908. The infection was clearly contracted while
travelling abroad and the patient was actually suffering
from the disease at the time of his coming into the
district. It is stated that recent investigations have
proved that in some cases the typhoid bacillus has been
found in the evacuations of people convalescent from
typhoid for 10 years. If this is true another terror has
been added to life, which previously seemed to be
sufficiently well surrounded by hidden dangers of this
sort.