Annual report of the Director, Medical & Health Department / Colony of Mauritius.

  • Mauritius. Medical and Health Department.
Date:
[1908]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Director, Medical & Health Department / Colony of Mauritius. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/84 (page 5)
    Plague :—The.total number of cases recorded during the year was 167 showing a reduction of 57 upon that for the preceding yea -. The annual epidemic recurrence was slow in asserting itself and it was not until September that the disease can be said to have become prevalent. As a consequence the epidemic only reached its maximum in November instead of October as is usually the case. In spite of a somewhat virulent recrudescence at Port Louis it is satisfactory to note that the tendency to decline manifested by plague since 1906 has been maintained, the epidemic of 1908 being the smallest registered since 1899. Moreover with the exception of two small outbreaks at Souillae and at The Mount and Mon Clout (Pamplemouses), the disease has been entirely confined to the districts of Port Louis and Plaines Wilhems which may be regarded as the only two indigenous foci in existence. In view of the small number of cases (6) detected in the latter district, the hope may not unreasonably be entertained that it may before long be rid of the scourge. In the course of the year the lazaret at Souillae had to be reopened for a few weeks. The number of admissions at the Port Louis Lazarets was 6L. Towards the end of December Bois Savon Lazaret was closed and for the sake of economy the plague hospital and segregation camp at Grand River were organised for the accommodation of plague cases and contacts from Port Louis and Plaines Wilhems until further orders. The campaign was conducted on the same general lines as before, special prominence being given to the destruction of rats and disinfection of con¬ taminated and insanitary premises. The total amount spent on plague mea¬ sures generally during the calendar year was Rs. 120,827.93. The number of rats destroyed by the Health Department was 81,958 at Port Louis and 90,546 in the rural districts, giving a total of 172,501 against 125,558 in 1907. Of these 11,518 were microscopically examined and 234 were found plague infected. Annexures III and IV give the usual detailed statistical data regarding the progress of plague in the Colony during the past ten years. Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis :—Twenty cases of this affection were reported during the year. Although it had not previously been unknown in the Colony where it was probably introduced from India, it is the first time it has ever assumed anything like epidemic form. It has accordingly been added to the diseases notification of which is compulsory. Cases were observed in the pri¬ sons at Port Louis, Plaines Wilhems and Savaune and in private practice in the same districts and at Riviere du Rempart. It manifested no marked tendency to spread, but in such cases as were discovered it showed the same high degree of fatality as is usually associated with the disease in other countries, 16 out of 2@ cases ending in death or a mortality of 80 o/o. The cases were more numerous during the first half of the year. Influenza :—This disease which for some years past has assumed epidemic prevalence annually, made its appearance in the colder months of 1908, but as already stated and for reasons little known though probably con¬ nected with climatic conditions, has not prevailed with the same intensity as before during the period covered by this report. Bronchitis & Pneumonia :—Contrary to what might have been expected from the foregoing paragraph, bronchitis and pneumonia have been more prevalent in 1908 than the year before. This is probably to be accounted for by the fact that in many cases these affections may have been late com¬ plications of an attack of measles. Beri-Beri :—This disease showed no tendency to recur in epidemic form. In addition to the cases admitted in the,public hospitals and already referred to in Chapter II a few scattered cases were reported by private medical practitioners. These cases were too few and disseminated to permit of definite conclusions being drawn as to their probable cause. > , - y Nephritis :—This affection, whatever may be its aetiology, is steadily on the increase in the Island. It is to be hoped that clinicians and bacterio¬ logists will unite in their endeavours to trace it to its as yet obscure causes. Scarlet Fever :—Two cases of this affection were notified, one at Port Louis and the other at Moka. They were both of a mild type. Doubts are still being entertained as to the identity of the disease as observed here with true scarlatina. Erysipelas :—This disease assumed some epidemic prevalence during the year, 73 cases being notified with 16 deaths.