35

11.—31

Canterbury and Westland District. Cases of Infectious Diseases Notified. For five years,— 1905-6 .. .. ..385 1908-9.. .. ... .. 693 1906-7 .. .. ..406 1909-10 .. .. ..391 1907-8 ...... 536 Comparing last year's notifications with those of the previous year, we find, — Increase. Decrease. Scarlet fever .. .. .. .. .. .... 207 Diphtheria .. .. .. .. .. .... 23 Enteric fever .. .. . . .. .. .. 4 Tuberculosis .. . .. .. .. .... 8 Blood-poisoning .. ~ .. .. .. .... 68 4 306 4 Net decrease .. .. .. .. .. 302 Blood-poisoning other than puerperal not recorded in the latter year. The table on the opposite page shows the distribution as to locality. Scarlet Fever. < The number of cases notified in Christchurch and suburbs is the same as last year. In the Canterbury District there were 179 cases, as compared with 282 cases lastjlyear, which shows a considerable decrease. Diphtheria. There have been 24 cases in Christchurch and suburbs, as compared with 38 last year ; and 76 cases in Canterbury, as compared with 96 last year. Enteric Fever. There were 27 oases in Christchurch, as compared with 15 last year ; there being 55 in Canterbury District, as compared with 50 last year. There was a sudden outbreak in March in Christchurch, 15 cases being notified. This is the largest number of cases that have occurred in Christchurch for a good many years. The cases were not confined to any particular part of Christchurch, there being a good many in the outside suburbs. No common source of infection could be found, and it is almost certain that it was not water-borne or milk-borne. In two of the cases there was a history of oysters having been eaten at about the period of the infection having occurred, but in the rest of the cases there was no history of oysters having been eaten. Tuberculosis. Thirty-two oases were notified in Christchurch and suburbs, as compared with 46 last year. Seventy cases were notified in the Canterbury District, as compared with 86 last year. There were 58 deaths in Christchurch, as compared with 77 last year, and notices of 107 deaths were received from the Registrars in the whole district. Accommodation for Infectious Diseases. North Canterbury Sanatorium. —The Sanatorium was opened in the beginning of March, under the control of Dr. Blackmore, who was specially appointed by the Hospital Board as having had previous experience in the sanatorium treatment of consumptives. There is accommodation provided for 18 males and 13 females in the shelters, and 4 beds for special cases in the main building. Otago and Southland District. Cases of Infectious Diseases Notified. For five years,— 1905-6 .. .. .311 1908-9 932 1906-7 .. .. ..350 1909-10 .. . 681 1907-8 .. .. ..525 Comparing last year's notifications with those of the previous year, we find, — Increase. Deorea.se. Scarlet fever .. .. .. .. .. ~ ~ ' 239 Diphtheria .. .. .... .. .. 70 Enteric fever . . . . .. .. . . .... 99 Tuberculosis .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 Blood-poisoning .. .. .',. .. .. .. .. 34 119 372 119 Net decrease .. .. .. .. .. 253 The following table shows the distribution as to locality :