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registration district of the Borough. This is in accordance with
the rule, that generally speaking, the incidence of the disease is
heavier in the poorer and more congested parts of the district.
Two hundred and fifty-two of the cases notified were removed
to hospital, or 94.7 per cent. In 1908 the percentage of cases
removed to hospital was 86.7 per cent., and in 1907, 94.6. In the
sub-districts the percentages of cases removed to hospital were
as follows: East Battersea, 97.0; North-West Battersea, 97.1;
South-West Battersea, 86.4.
Twenty-two deaths occurred in hospital, and one at home.

The total number of houses invaded by diphtheria was 235.
In 17 houses (i.e., 7.2 per cent.) the drainage was found defective,
and in 46 (i.e., 19.4 per cent.) insanitary conditions other than
drainage defects were discovered.
The source of infection in the majority of cases was merely
conjectural. In 23 instances there was evidence pointing to personal
contact, in three to schools, eight were post-scarlatinal
cases, which developed in hospital while the patients were recovering
from scarlet fever. In nine instances the patients were
infected outside the Borough. There were three "return" and
four "relapse" cases.
During the year 24 cases (i.e., 8.3 per cent.) notified as
diphtheria and removed to hospital were found not to be suffering
from the disease and were discharged to their homes.
Six hundred and twenty-eight bacteriological examinations
were made during 1909, as compared with 2,319 in 1908, and 386
in 1907. In 147 a positive, and in 481 a negative result was
obtained.