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165
[1914
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year 1,565 examinations were made of sputum and blood of
patients for the medical profession for the detection of Diphtheria, Enteric
Fever and Phthisis. This is by far the largest number hitherto examined, and
shows an increase of 203 on the return for 1913, which in turn was 417 above
that for 1912. The increase of the number of these examinations since they
were first made in 1898 is indicated in Table CV.
Diphtheria.—696 swabs were submitted, of which 178 gave positive
results, and 518 negative. The results of the cases were immediately forwarded
to the medical practitioners, some being sent by telephone or telegraphed direct
to the doctors from the Lister Institute where the examinations were made.
Enteric Fever.—59 examinations of blood taken from enteric patients
were made, as contrasted with 52 in 1913, of which 15 proved positive, and
44 negative.
Phthisis.—810 specimens of sputum were examined, of which 243 gave
positive results, and 567 negative. This return is 81 above that for 1913, and
nearly twice as great as that for 1912. It may be remarked that examinations
for Phthisis have of late years largely increased, for whereas in 1899 they
numbered only 79, and in 1909 222, in 1914 they numbered 810. This large
increase is due, of course, to the notification of Tuberculosis.