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185
[1910
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year 682 specimens were examined for the medical profession
practising in Islington (to enable them to diagnose suspicious cases of
Diphtheria, Enteric Fever, and Phthisis with certainty) as compared with 577
in the preceding year, and 545 in 1908. A full statement for each year since
1898 is given in Table CIV.
Diphtheria.—401 specimens were examined, as contrasted with 300 in
1909 and 281 in 1908. This is the largest number hitherto forwarded for
examination. In 125 instances the Lister Institute returned certificates showing
positive results, and in 276 giving negative results.
Enteric Fever.—Specimens of blood were examined in 61 instances, of
which number 32 gave positive results, and 29 negative.
Phthisis.—The sputum of 220 patients was examined, and the reports
showed that 63 persons were suffering from the disease, and that 157 were
not.
All these examinations were made by the Lister Institute, who during
the last eleven and a half years have examined 4,933 specimens for the
Borough Council, namely:—2,208 Diphtheria, 896 Enteric Fever, and 1,829
Phthisis, and enabling the medical profession of Islington to diagnose diseases
in 1,803 instances, or in 36.5 per cent. of the doubtful cases which they had
under treatment.