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previous year. For the last three months Mr. Vivian, a medical student, has been acting as Bacteriologist to the Southland Hospital. In Otago Hospital District 199 eases were reported, as compared with 100 cases for 1917, an increase of ninety-nine cases. The majority of these cases have occurred in Dunedin itself. " During the winter months, probably owing to the. cold and wet weather experienced, a comparatively large number of cases occurred in Dunedin City. " In the Southland Hospital District the epidemic of diphtheria which prevailed during 1917 continued well into the year under review, but a great decrease was noticeable during the last three or four months. At no time, however, were there so many cases as during 1917, and the total for the j'ear showed a large decrease. The mortality rate remained fairly low, being rather less than 2 per cent., as only ten deaths occurred. " In addition to the actual cases enumerated above, bacteriological examination of contacts discovered a large number of carriers. These were isolated as far as possible, and this fact may possibly have something to do with the improvement in the incidence of the disease over the year previous. An interesting feature in connection with this disease was the practically complete freedom from the trouble enjoyed by the eastern (i.e., Gore, Mataura, cVc.) district. " In Hampden twenty-four cases of diphtheria occurred during the year, the mortality being very high. All the children at the local school have been swabbed on two occasions, and in one case a carrier was found." ENTERIC FEVEH. Auckland. —" I am very pleased to be able to report a substantial decrease amongst the typhoid-fever cases. The cases are 120 less for 1918 as compared with 1917, I have heard it stated that the number of typhoid cases in a district is a very fair index of the general cleanliness of a district. It is a fact that where dirt and filth exist there infectious disease is most likely to develop, so that the large decrease of 120 must represent a considerable measure of improvement in the Auckland District." Wellington. — "A most satisfactory position is disclosed in connection with this disease, only 110 eases being notified, as compared with 254 in 1917. The Waiapu Hospital District contributed 30 per cent, of the total cases, the reason being the large Maori population in this area and the marked susceptibility of the Natives to enteric fever." Canterbury. —"Thirty-six cases were recorded, and occurred ohiefly between January and April, the highest records being seven in February; nine in April. In proportion to population the West Coast- suffered more than Canterbury. The cases, however, were chiefly of a mild nature, only one death being recorded. The total number of notifications showed an increase of five over that of last year." Otago. —" There were twenty-one cases of enteric fever during 1918, nineteen occurring in the Otago Hospital District." TUBERCULOSIS. Auckland. —" Under this heading, too, we find a decrease of seventy-three. During the time that recruiting and the examination of all male adults under forty years of age was in progress we received a great many notifications of this disease, and upon making subsequent inquiries found that often the patients had no idea that they were so suffering. Early cases through this means have been detected, and in many instances got under treatment, that probably would have been much further advanced but for the military examinations." Wellington. —" Only 299 cases were reported in 1918, as compared with 478 in the preceding year. It must be remembered, however, that the figures for 1917 were much above the normal, owing to the very complete medical examination of the males of military age and the consequent detention and notification of incipient cases. Possibly many cases were thus notified in 1917 who in the ordinary course would not have sought medical advice until much later, and would have been notified perhaps in the following years." Canterbury. —" Two hundred and fifty-four cases were recorded, showing a decrease of ninetyfive as compared with the figures of last year." Otago. —" During 1918 220 cases of tuberculosis have been notified, showing a decrease of 107 as compared with 1917. The position with regard to this disease is satisfactory, there being a marked decrease in the incidence." CEREHRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS. Auckland. —" Cerebrospinal meningitis shows an increase of fifteen cases over 1917, and of these eight occurred in Auckland City and the remainder in the country districts." Wellington. —" This disease showes a marked increase when contrasted with the preceding year, 106 cases being notified in 1918, as against only twenty-four in 1917. Whether this increase is a direct result of the unusual prevalence of influenza is uncertain, but seems highly probable in view of the common association of the two diseases. " The high figures for the Wairarapa Hospital District are due to the inclusion of cases from Featherston Military Camp." Canterbury. —"Fifteen cases were notified, showing a large increase on the number for last year, when there were only three. These cases occurred in the latter half of the year. Of the purely civilian cases, in three of these there was a history of recent influenza, and in two instances at least there was evidence of overcrowded conditions in the homes. Seven of the cases proved fatal." Otago.---" Seventeen cases occurred during the year, vine of which were reported in the Otago Hospital District. Tin's is an increase of eight as compared with the figures for the last year."