H.—l9b

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Return of Infectious Diseases among Soldiers attached to the Camps of the Expeditionary Forces in New Zealand for the Year 1917, with comparative Figures for 1916.

Infectious Diseases contracted in and out of Camps in 1917.

It will be seen that, except, in the case of diphtheria, all diseases show a satisfactory diminution. As regards diphtheria, the increase is not surprising when we consider that in the civil population a very widespread epidemic existed throughout the year, 5,458 cases having occurred, as compared to 2,376 in 1916. In 4of the cases the disease was contracted and developed out of camp. At no time was there anything approaching an epidemic, and the infection in the majority of the cases was contracted by men while on leave. The comparative immunity of the camps was no doubt due to the careful examination and treatment of suspected throats. Many carriers were detected and treated, some showing great resistance to all methods of inhalation or swabbing. The complete disappearance in all camps of the malignant type of pneumonia which in 1916 caused 35 deaths is very satisfactory. Of simple pneumonia only 1 case was fatal, the illness and death occurring out of camp—an alcoholic patient. Cerebrospinal Meningococcal Infections. Incidence. —Thirteen cases of meningococcal infection occurred in 1917, as against 109 (of both types) in 1916. The attached table shows the seasonal distribution in the two camps and the incidence of associated diseases :—

It will be seen that this year Featherston suffered much more than Trentham, due doubtless to the fact that the troops underwent the first part of their training at the former camp, and, as in previous years, the majority of the cases arose during the first six Weeks of training. Of the 3 cases at Trentham, one shown as occurring in January properly belongs to the epidemic in the previous year, since the patient had left Trentham for Christmas leave and developed the

Foatl icrston. Trentham. Aw a; puni. Narrow Neck. Totals. Disease. 1917. 1916. ] 1917. 1916. 1917. 1916. 1917. 1916. 1917. 1.916. Cerebro-spinal meningitis Measles Diphtheria Enteric fever Scarlet fever Chicken-pox Erysipelas Simple pneumonia Malignant (post-measles) pneumonia 10 28 11 1 2 2 1 7 24 1,521 4 4 3 26 8 1 2 3 1 4 35 836 3 3 5 7 2 12 31 2 21 16 1 2 7 1 13 59 54 2,394 21 7 3 5 4 16 5 7 2 4 14 20 50 2 19 2 1 8 1 Totals.. 62 1,574 48 934 21 2 33 116 I 2,562 I

Fcatherston. Trcntham. Awapuni. Narrow Neck. lontracted in camps lontracted out of camps .. Totals 42 20 62 30 18 4 1 1 62 48

Featherston. Trentham. Month. Cerebro-spinal Influonza Meningitis. Measles. Cerebro-spinal T a -..- . A. Influenza. Meningitis. Measles. January February March " .. \ April May ... Juno July .. August September October November December 30 30 19. 29 28 31 19 28 43 233 72 57 27 16 16 14 4 1 6 8 2 12 23 19 10 6 54 77 21 7 I i 4 2 19. 1 28 4 1 3 31 1 19 2 28 1 3 1 1 43 3 233 3 72 1 57 i 4 2 27