PUBLIC HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1916, Page 3

PUBLIC HEALTH.

DIPHTHERIA IX XEW PLYMOUTH. CASES OF IXFAXTILE PARALYSIS. 'At the meeting of the Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday the following report was received from the health inspector (Mr. A. H. Kendall):— The month has again been a very busy one, especially in connection with infectious disease. I have visited Opunake and Puniho on four occasions, Waitara several times, Okato, Urcnui, Rahotu and Waitoitoi. During the month fourteen cases of diphtheria were notified, eleven of the number being in Xew Plymouth, two in Waitara, and one in the Taranaki county. There were six cases of infantile paralysis notified, two being from Opnnake, two from Xew Plymouth, one in the Taranaki county, and one in the Clif-ton-county; these, together with a bad case in Xew Plymouth previously notified, make seven cases in all which have bpen notified up to the present in the Taranaki hospital district. Of these cases, two have been treated in private hospitals, three in public hospitals, and two cases are being treated at the p:-.-tients' own homes. Of these eases' one is since deceased, but the others show some improvement.

One case of typhoid came from the Egmont county, and. later in the month, as it was alleged that typhoid had broken out at the Xative pa at Puniho, I immediately visited and searched the whares and cottages, but was unable to discover anything worse than whooping cough, no typhoid being in existence.

I have disinfected during the month 22 houses, several cabs and two schools.

Together with the borough inspector (Mr. Day), I investigated into offensive and dangerous conditions which came to light in the centre of the town of Xew Plymouth, and other matters. During the month I collected official samples from the milk vendors of Xew Plymouth, and forwarded the same to the Dominion Analyst in Wellington. The result of the analysis showed that no preservatives were found, and that the samples complied with the regulations under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1008. Out of nine samples the fat contents ranged from 4.G3 to 3.25 per cent, and the solids other than fat from 0.45 to B.SS per cent. I also examined into the. weight of bread sold at Waitara, the results being unsatisfactory in two cases. .