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23
Enteric
fevers.
There were 187 notifications of fevers of the enteric group in London in 1935
(52 weeks) compared with 109 in 1934. The deaths in the calendar year numbered
17 as against 15 in 1934. The remarkable decrease in the mortality from enteric
fever during the present century will be seen from the figures in table 39.

In addition, there were 10 deaths recorded by the Kegistrar-General of cases
belonging to London which had not been notified within the county. Eight of these
were inmates of mental institutions.
In August, information was received from the acting medical officer of health
of Glasgow that an outbreak of enteric fever had occurred amongst a party of pilgrims
from Scotland to Lourdes. The list of London pilgrims which was supplied from
Glasgow was circulated to the metropolitan borough medical officers of health. So
far as is known none of these London pilgrims contracted enteric fever.
Influenza.
The deaths from influenza during 1935 numbered 471, compared with 543
in 1934.
Rheumatic
fever.
The deaths in London from rheumatic fever in 1935 numbered 127, of which
45 were among children under 15 years of age. The corresponding figures in
1934 were 145 and 71, respectively.
Cancer.
There were 7,091deaths from cancer in 1935, as against 7,276 in 1934. The
death-rate per thousand was 1.69. There was an increase of 1 in the deaths among
males and a decrease of 186 among females compared with the previous year.
Food
poisoning.
In 1935 (52 weeks) particulars of 490 cases of food poisoning notified to the
borough medical officers of health under the provisions of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1932, were received, compared with 332 for the year 1934.
Eight of the notified cases died.
In some instances more than one member of a family was affected by the
illness, but the majority were isolated cases and were probably due to idiosyncrasies
of the patients. Particulars are set out below of the only groups of cases that call
for special comment.
In March, 34 students at a women's training college were mildly affected after
eating roast lamb. The remains of the food had been placed in the stock-pot before
any investigations were possible and it was difficult to trace the exact origin of the
illness. The examination in the Council's laboratories of parts of the stock failed
to reveal the presence of any chemical poison, either organic or inorganic. Pathological
material from three of the patients was examined by the bacteriologist attached
to one of the voluntary hospitals who isolated hæmolytic coliform bacilli of a toxic
character and it would appear that these were the causal agents.
In May, 64 students and staff at another training college were notified as cases
of food poisoning. Examinations of various food stuffs and of specimens from the
patients were made in the Council's laboratories, but no specific pathogenic organism
was found. The only finding which was suggestive was large numbers of streptococcus
fæcalis (enterococcus) in minced meat. These organisms have repeatedly
been found in food suspected of causing illness, but no definite proof has been obtained
that they are actually the cause of disease. Chemical examination revealed three
parts per million of lead in tinned sardines similar to those which had been eaten,
but this is considerably less than that frequently found in similar commercial
samples.
A fatal case of food poisoning occurred in Bermondsey in June. The borough
medical officer of health reported as follows :—
The cause of death was obscure and a post-mortem examination failed to reveal an adequate
cause. Sausages eaten by the patient were suspected, but investigation failed to prove con-