PUBLIC HEALTH.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16947, 23 September 1920, Page 4

PUBLIC HEALTH.

PNEUMONIA AND ENTERIC.

In complianco with a request from tiio Public Health Committee of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Dr. T. F. Telford forwarded to yesterday's meeting of the Board a report on the cases notified in the North Canterbury district under the headings enteric fever, pneumonia) and influenzal pneumonia.. . . « ■'• The figures from August 16th to fe&P* tcniber 17th' were : Enteric fever, !■? eases; pneumonia, 102 cases; influenzal pneumonia, 41 eases. Dr. Telford stated that 'he did not seo any undue cause for alarm, as far as pneumonia and influenzal pneumonia were concerned, as there were quite a number of conditions favouring the increased appearance of these diseases, at the present time. ' The main factor bad been the incidence of whooping cough and measles, with pneumonia as a complication. ■ In the Aast week there 'had been a slight upward tendency in ' the influenza pneumonia-, but still not sufficient to become unduly alarmed at. In regard to the enteric cases notified for the North Canterbury district, there were nine cases directly infected through the .neighbours visiting the house in which there was a patient under observation for some time. They also had a common milk supply, and he would think that-probably this was tho main "factor■'•in the 'direct spread to these " pedjv!e. The supply had "been stopped.' With regard to eases previously notified, three were proved, by post-mortem arid ptlhor - methods, not to have been enteric.ferer. The remaining cases were scattered in various parts of the citv and outlying counties. In these, so far, the definite'source of infection had not. been . established. Ia one case tho artesian watfif supply used at the residence of the patient proved on analysis to have an unsafe amount of organic material, and drinking this water unboiled would probably be. the likely source. The medical men Dr.. Telford had con for red with pointed to whooping cough and measles as being the main factors in the causation of pneumonia.