47

H.—3l

Scarlet Fever. The District Health Officer, Auckland, reports: — The rases notified from the health district during the last rive years are— L 909 ... . 124 1912 ... ... ... 235 1910 ... ... ... 994 1913 ... ... ... 203 1911 ... ... ... 367 The cases are mostly from the city and suburbs, Waihi (12 cases) being the only country centre more than slightly affected. No mortality from this cause is recorded within the city and suburban area, the type generally remaining extremely mild, as in the last few years. r lhe District Health Officer, Wellington, reports : — There has been a slight increase in incidence of this disease during the year —760 cases as against 044 last year —but it shows a marked decrease on the 1911 returns, in which year there were 1,001 eases. As mentioned in my report two years ago, the difficulty of stamping out this disease is largely due to the fact that so many eases occur of such a mild nature as to escape detection —so mild, indeed, that parents, failing to recognize the disease, or thinking it to lie measles, have not deemed it necessary to call in medical assistance. Nevertheless such cases must disseminate infection, ami owing to them not coming under observation they mix freely with other children. It is practically impossible to deal with such cases. On the 24th November several eases were reported shortly after the arrival of the s.s. " Corinthic " amongst passengers by that steamer. According to the report of the steamer's medical officer no eases occurred on the yoyage, but relatives of some of the children where eases were investigated by our Inspectors made statements with regard to several cases of sore throat and rash having occurred amongst the children on board. Two domestic servants «lm came out by this steamer went direct to a doctor's household in the country, and within a few days of their arrival the doctor himself and four of his children developed this disease. As it often happens that scarlet fever and measles develop on these steamers carrying numbers of third-class passengers with families, it would seem desirable —in fact, necessary —that more adequate provision should lie made on these steamers for the effective isolation of cases or suspected eases of infectious disease. The District Health Officer, Dunedin. reports: — There has been a slight decrease in the number of eases notified as compared with last year —202, as against 272 last year. On the whole this disease continues to be exceedingly mild in this part of the Dominion. Diphtheria. The District Health Officer, Auckland reports: — The eases notified from the health district during the last five years are— 1909 ... ... ... 122 1912 ... ... 260 1910 ... ... ... 257 1913 ... ... ... 247 1911 ... ... ... 223 The epidemic referred to in lasi report as having occurred in the Bay of Islands district recurred this year, to a less extent, during the colder months, Hay of Islands having 19 cases and Whangaroa 7 cases; in the City of Auckland 55 eases, and in Mount Albert 13 eases. Tinremainder were pretty evenly distributed. The mortality within the city and suburbs was 11 cases. Tin' District Health Officer, Wellington, reports:— The incidence of this disease has steadily decreased within the last four years, 254 eases being notified in this district, as against 283 in 1912, 322 in 1911, and 341 in 1910, The District Health-Officer, Christchurch, reports: — '1 he increase in the number of eases of diphtheria in the Southland district can only be attributed to the wet autumn and winter. The epidemic was of a mild type. The District Health Officer, Dunedin, reports : — Last year 1 reported a steady decline in this disease, particularly in the cases notified from the Kaikorai Valley, in which district the disease will always be endemic until an adequate drainage scheme is instituted. Only 19 cases have been notified, and each case has been verified by a laboratory examination. Enteric Fever. The District Health Officer, Auckland, reports : — The cases notified from the Health District during the last five years are— 1909 ... ... ... 206 I 1912 ... ... ... 252 1910 ... ... ... 197 1913 ... ... 412 1911 ... ... ... 346 Although the province shows an exceptionally high return for enteric this year, Auckland City and suburbs were again no! seriously affected, only 96 cases being notified, as against 95 last year. Auckland City, with 28 cases, shows a most satisfactory diminution, being 13 below the previous year, although the suburb of Parnell is for the first time included in this list.