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220
1911]
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year 788 specimens were examined for the medical profession
practising in Islington (to enable them to diagnose with certainty suspicious
cases of Diphtheria, Enteric Fever, and Phthisis) as compared with 682 in the
preceding year, and 577 in 1905. A full statement for each year since 1898
is given in Table CXXVIII.
Diphtheria.—484 specimens were examined, as contrasted with 401 in
1910 and 300 in 1909. This is the largest number hitherto forwarded for
examination. In 157 instances the Lister Institute returned certificates showing
positive results, and in 327 giving negative results.
Enteric Fever.—Specimens of blood were examined in 52 instances, of
which number 19 gave positive results, and 33 negative.
Phthisis.—The sputum of 252 patients was examined, and the reports
showed that 66 persons were suffering from the disease, and that 186 were
not.
All these examinations were made by the staff of the Lister Institute,
who during the last thirteen and a half years have examined 5,721 specimens
for the Borough Council, namely:—2,692 Diphtheria, 948 Enteric Fever, and
2,081 Phthisis, and enabling the medical profession of Islington to diagnose
diseases definitely in 2,045 instances, or in 35.7 per cent. of the doubtful
cases which they had under treatment.