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13
all probability, saving a serious outbreak. In the ordinary
course I received notification from the Head Teacher
of one of the Public Elementary Schools that a scholar
was away suffering from mumps. On visiting the house
I found that no medical man was in attendance, and an
examination of the child made me very suspicious that
the case was one of diphtheria. Examination of a
swab taken from the throat confirmed my suspicions and
the case was at once removed to hospital and turned out tobe
a severe one. The prompt isolation and removal almost
certainly saved a further outbreak in the household, and
very likely in the school, to which the child might have
otherwise returned in an infectious state.
Arrangements have been made by the Council for
keeping a supply of anti-toxin on hand for use in
emergency cases, and all the medical men practising in
the district have been notified of the fact.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
No case has been notified in this district since 1901.
ERYSIPELAS.
Seven cases were notified. They were of a mild
type. It seems paradoxical to include this disease in
the list of diseases which are compulsorily notifiable and
to omit measles and whooping cough which are, both
much more frequent and infectious and cause a much
higher mortality.
MEASLES.
No cases of this disease occurred until December
when a few came under observation. They were mostly
very mild in type, differing very much from thoseoccurring
in the epidemic of last year, which caused 19
deaths, and was widely diffused through the district.
ENTERIC FEVER.
Only one case of enteric was notified. The patient
was a man much away from home, taking most of his
meals away. There was a history of his having eaten
some oysters about a fortnight previous to the pronounced
symptoms coming on, which caused sickness and pain
soon after they were partaken of. This case was treated
home and did very well.