H—3l

42

Infectious Diseases. The main infectious diseases which continue to take toll are typhoid, influenza, and tuberculosis. The cancer figures have been included. Dysentery was severe and widespread, but did not reappear last summer. Typhoid Fever. The deaths and rates per 1,000 of mean Maori population are herewith given, showing an appreciable fall. It has been practically endemic in the Rotorua district, but now appears to be rooted out. In the East Coast it was successfully confined, and due credit must be given that tribe for its co-ordination and attention to departmental instructions. The improved sanitary conditions and better water-supplies are important factors in the improved figures, while educative propaganda and the continued T.A.B. inoculations are proving effective preventive measures. Deaths from Typhoid. —Numbers and Rates, 1920-29. v Deaths from Rates per 1,000 of Mean ear " Typhoid. Maori Population. 1920 .. .. .. .. 17 0-34 1921 .. .. .. .. 28 0-53 1922 .. .. .. .. 25 0-47 1923 .. .. .. .. 21 0-39 1924 .. .. .. .. 30 0-56 1925 .. .. .. .. 28 0-51 1926 .. .. .. .. 23 0-38 1927 .. .. .. .. 25 0-39 1928 .. .. .. ..33 0-51 1929 .. .. .. .. 20 0-30 Dysentery. The epidemic of 1929 mainly affected the Auckland Central and Auckland South Health Districts, the causative organism being definitely determined as the Shiga bacillus, though Flexner's bacillus was noted in the Taupo area. In the 203 cases reported there were forty-eight deaths. To combat the epidemic no new officers were appointed, but a temporary concentration of officers on the area affected was decided on. All cases were quickly transported to hospital, and contacts kept under close supervision. The epidemic began to wane towards the end of May, and there has been no recrudescence. To effect this end a scavenging campaign was carried out in the affected areas, mainly with the help of the Native Department. The whole area was subjected to a thorough clean-up. Rubbish was burnt or buried, w.c.s erected, old ones destroyed and buried after treatment with lime, tanks or bores provided, and water-supplies improved. Additional water-supplies have since been installed and others projected. This has been the worst dysenteric outbreak on record. Influenza. The figures for the ten years 1920-29 are here given. Pamphlets on influenza in the Maori language have been freely distributed and are beginning to be more closely followed —thus averting complications. Deaths from Influenza. —Numbers and Rates, 1920-29. Y ear Deaths from Rates per 10,000 of Mean Influenza. Maori Population. 1920 .. .. .. .. 103 20-69 1921 .. .. .. .. 31 5-88 1922 .. .. .. .. 41 7-70 1923 .. .. .. 42 7-83 1924 .. .. .. 21 3-89 1925 .. .. .. .. 20 3-66 1926 .. .. .. .. 44 7-24 1927 .. .. .. .. 35 5-44 1928 .. .. .. ..74 11-38 1929 .. .. .. .. 41 6-21 Tuberculosis. The ravages of this disease are causing much concern. It will be a subject for close investigation during the current year, in the hope that the incidence may be materially reduced and propagation stayed.