H.—3l

4

Monthly Analysis of same Notifications 1904-5.

Enteric Fever. There were 180 notifications of enteric fever, against 231 last year. This is a very favourable record, to be accounted for both by the atmospheric and social conditions before alluded to in regard to Auckland and its suburbs. Otherwise the features to be remarked are that the dry weather of May, 1904, was followed by an increase in the typhoid returns, and again, the exceptionally dry February, 1905, was followed by a similar increase. Though the figures available do not at present extend over a sufficiently long period to admit of the establishment of a standard monthly average, yet we now have records for four complete years, and the comparison of the typhoid notifications for 1904-5 bear the proportion to the average so obtained, as is graphically shown in Charts A and B. A chart again accompanies this portion of the report, exhibiting as in the previous years curves presented by the rainfall, the temperature, and the cases of typhoid fever reported monthly in the Auckland Health District, and this year there is added a curve which represents the average number of typhoid cases per month during the past four years. (Chart C.) DISTRIBUTION OF CASES ACCORDING TO LOCALITY. The City and Suburbs. The notifications were 87, the deaths 6—a case-rate of 7 per cent., which is still a low case-rate. The death-rate to the population of this area was 0125 per 1,000 living, being below several preceding years, and below that for England and Wales (0-175). In the city 49 cases were notified—or, 1-29 cases per 1,000 to the city population. The marked improvement in Devonport, referred to in last report, has been maintained. In Parnell the reduction of from 17 to 8 cases, commented upon last year, has been more than maintained, no cases having been reported during the year. Grey Lynn returns 7 cases, against 13 the previous year. Onehunga returns to its normal condition, with 5 cases, no special spot having given rise to trouble, as in the previous year. Arch Hill has escaped altogether. Point Chevalier is credited with 7 cases, all of which occurred at the Hospital for Mental Diseases, and contributed to the great rise to be noted in Chart A in March, 1905. Country Districts. The country districts record almost exactly the same number of cases as in last year—B3. Hobson County has the large number of 21 cases : 16 of these occurred among Natives resident near the banks of Kaihu River above Dargaville. Kawhia County has 9 cases, against last year's nil ; 7 of these were Maori cases. Mongonui County has 15 cases, against nil in the previous year. Almost all of these occurred in the township of Mangonui. The special circumstances of this outbreak are referred to later on. Ohinemuri shows a satisfactory decrease of from 15 to 10 cases. Thames County has 10 cases, against 4 last year. Hamilton Borough has 3 cases only, against 11 last year. None of the other country districts have records calling for special remark. Scarlet Fever. The epidemic of scarlet fever referred to in the last two reports cannot be said to have been maintained, the returns from city, suburbs, and country districts exhibiting more favourable figures. A comparison of the figures for the past four annual periods shows however that the epidemic has left a legacy of contagion which has to be contended with. Scarlet-fever Cases. Auckland City. Suburbs. Country Districts. Total. 1901-2 .. .. ..35 33 49 117 1902-3 .. .. .. 86 • 94 138 318 1903-4 .. .. ..110 112 145 367 1904-5 .. .. ..68 93 112 273 The localities which may be referred to as having an undue number of cases are : Newmarket, 9 cases ; Onehunga, 9 cases ; Parnell, 12 cases ; Mount Eden, 11 cases ; Coromandel, 16 cases ; Cambridge, 6 cases; Waihi, 9 cases.

Enteric. Scarlet Fever. Diphtheria. 'uberculosis. Bloodpoisoning. Plague. Totals. April May June July August September October November December 1904. 1905. 7 20 12 22 7 10 13 15 8 5 33 33 27 32 22 20 21 9 16 1 9 7 7 I 5 7 4 7 5 3 11 ! 8 9 17 4 2 4 1 2 63 63 59 59 48 47 49 33 43 i January February March 12 13 43 20 19 21 2 5 5 4 4 4 i i 39 43 74 2 620 Totals 180 273 ' 63 86 16