66

H.—3l

were also affected to a lesser extent. A series of cases at Eketahuna amongst Europeans was traced to a convalescent from Masterton visiting a boardinghouse and sleeping with his brother while there. As regarTs S disease amongst the Maoris, there is no doubt that the appointment of the nurses for Maoris will tend to bring to light cases in their early stages, and thus check further infection. ThereTe h re ( 2rctsts U of\yph°ofd S fever notified in the North Canterbury Hospital District, including 18 in Christchurch, a larger number than usual, but there were no fatal cases In the Vincent Hospital District there were 12 cases, including sin Alexandra. There was 1 fatal C&Be employed on dredges, and possibly got the infection from drinking water from the Molyneux Eiver, placards were this year posted on the dredges and in public places in the district warning persons not to drink water from the Molyneux River or its tributaries. during the year, 1 bemg fatal. Medical «£""-£ the affected areas have been advised of the advantage of prophylactic mocuataon against typhoid ever and several have availed themselves of the facilities which the Department has offered and have inoculated those in their charge who are most likely to be exposed to the infection. The risks which members of the nursing profession run in nursing enteric cases m hospital and elsewhere have been pdnted out, and in the Dunedin Hospital 16 of the nurses attached to the enteric wards offered themselves for prophylactic injection. Tuberculosis. Dr Makgill (Auckland) reports : — The cases notified from the health district in the last five years are — 1907 .. -. •• 190 1910 3? 1908 191 1911 177 1909 118 Dr Chesson (Wellington) reports: — . . The increase in reported cases-from 199 last year to 278 this year-is probably due ma large measure to a greater proportion of the cases coming under the observation of medical practitioners being notified by them than has previously been the case. Dr. Finch (Canterbury) reports: — . , The notification of tuberculosis continues to be very unsatisfactory, especially as far as the notification of the earlier cases are concerned. It is to be hoped that a tuberculosis dispensary will be started in Christchurch during this year. There is a great need for the person who is in the early stages of tuberculosis to be given every encouragement to present himself for examination to a medical man or at the dispensary. Sne tff S ( ti^^-fo c u P r°ca S se7have been notified, with 84 deaths. Last year 138 cases were notified, and 107 deaths. No comparison can be made, however, as last year s figures include the whole of Otago and Southland. . . . . Durino- the year a tuberculosis dispensary was started in connection with the bacterial vaccine out-patient department of the Hospital, and a nurse was trained at the Palmerston Sanatorium to undertake the investigation of all cases attending the dispensary Unti, however, a permanent medical officer is appointed at the Palmerston Sanatorium, who shall control all cases of tuberculosis in the Otago Hospital District, and attend to the work of the dispensary, no great good can come has been supplied by the Hospital Board in providing shelters in the Hospital ground for cases of pulmonary tuberculosis which are too advanced to be sent to the Falmerston Sanatorium. Blood-poisoning and Puerperal Fevers. Dr. Makgill (Auckland) reports : — The cases notified during the last five years are,— 1907 66 191° II 1908 84 1911 55 1909 .. •• ..59 The 56 cases in 1911 were,— ... X Puerperal septicemia .. .. 22 Ptomaine poisoning .. .. -5 Erysipelas IB Pla B ue ■ ° Tetanus 2 Unclassified * Dr. Chesson (Wellington) reports : — . The incidence of puerperal fever shows very little change from last year—34, as against 35. Dr. Champtaloup (Otago) reports :— Three cases of puerperal septicaemia were notified, with 2 deaths. Nine cases of erysipelas were notified, with 1 death.