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10
Both cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum made satisfactory
recoveries without permanent injury to sight.

In view of the serious emergency in dealing with
the outbreak of Diphtheria this year, 1 think it advisable
to quote a paragraph in the report for 1919, referring
to the subject of supplying extra accommodation
for emergencies of this kind.
Pp. 8, M.O.H. Report, 1919, "Referring to the
arrangements for treating some of our infectious cases
in the hospitals of neighbouring districts, 1 would like
to say that although this generally answers quite satisfactorily,
yet occasionally there are times when these
institutions are full of their own cases and cannot
accommodate any from outside. This usually happens
when outbreaks occur affecting more or less, all the
surrounding" districts, and when our needs are most
urgent.
I hesitate under existing conditions of dear labour
and materials to advise the erection of a fully equipped
isolation hospital for the District, but my experience
of the last few years, leads me strongly to the opinion
that the Council would do well to erect a small temporary
building, of a few beds, which could be used
generally as observation wards for doubtful cases,
and in times of urgency could accommodate a few
cases for which beds in the Isolation Hospitals were
not available. Your Fever Nurse could have charge
of this when in use, and in ordinary circumstances no
further staff would be required. It is well known that
practically every house in the district is filled to its
utmost capacity. Isolation of cases at home is almost
impossible.
The mortality from notifiable diseases was:—
Tuberculosis 11
Diphtheria 4