H.—3l.

The dramatic success which has attended the preventive measures of the past generation or two in the case of typhoid fever and other intestinal diseases has not been achieved in the case of those diseases, of which diphtheria is one, spread by droplet infection. But an efficacious method of control is now available in preventive immunization. This method has been extensively tried out in many countries, but so far only to a limited extent in New Zealand, with, however, satisfactory results. Untoward incidents which occurred in some countries after the introduction of this method of preventive treatment led to considerable apprehension on the part of the public, but the advances made in recent years now leave no reason for any such apprehension. (c) Enteric Fever. In the returns this year a change has been made in the method of tabulating enteric fever, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever being shown separately. During 1935 there was an increase in the number of cases of typhoid fever notified, both amongst Europeans and Maoris. When the difference in population of the two races is considered, enteric fever is very much more prevalent amongst the Maoris. This is to be expected where the Native race is living under more primitive conditions than the white. Until such time as Maori housing and sanitation can be improved and the people brought to realize the importance of sanitary habits, the most satisfactory method of control is by anti-typhoid inoculation. This is being very extensively carried out, and without doubt is responsible for the incidence of typhoid being as low as it is. Considerable success is being attained in sanitation by the provision of bore-hole latrines in those areas where the conditions are suitable. These have also proved satisfactory in several motor-camps in the north.

(d) Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Infectious Diseases amongst Maoris. Table D attached gives the number of notifications of infectious disease received for members of the Maori race. These figures are not included in the European figures, _as a large number of cases amongst Maoris are missed, due to the fact that a large proportion of Maoris fail to obtain medical assistance when they become ill. The figures, while very inaccurate, serve their purpose in indicating to what extent the Maori people are attacked by disease. Of the 326 notifications received, 134 or over 41-10 of the total, were pulmonary tuberculosis, a disease to which the Maori is very susceptible. The next disease in order of importance of the number notified is typhoid fever, for which disease 107 cases were notified. Here, again, we have a disease which has a peculiar affinity for the Maori race, due, for the most part, to their lack of sanitation and the ease in which infection can and does spread. The only other diseases to reach double figures were influenza, puerperal fever (ordinary), and diphtheria.

18

Deaths. Year. Number of Notifications. 7 , T , Rates per 10,000 of Number. Mean Population. 1930 .. .. .. 1,244 529 3-71 1931 1,109 501 3-47 1932 .. .. .. 904 488 3-35 1933 .. .. .. 890 476 3-24 1934 824 491 3-32 1935 .. .. .. 808 471 3-17