View report page

24
It will be seen that there was marked improvement, both in
the number of attacks and in the number of deaths from diphtheria
during the year. We were particularly fortunate in escaping the
usual autumnal rise, which is normally a marked feature in the
diphtheria returns.
RELATION OF DIPHTHERIA TO DRAINAGE DEFECTS.
356 notified cases occurred in 261 houses. In two instances the
drains were not examined. The following is the result of the
examination of the drains of the remaining 259 houses:—
Number of houses where no defects were found:— 178, or
687 per cent.
Number of houses where serious defects were found:— 22,
or 8.5 per cent.
Number of houses where slight defects were found :—59,
or 22.8 per cent.
The proportion of houses infected with diphtheria that were
found to have serious defects in their drains was 8.5, a figure which
is almost identical with that found in 1908, namely, 87. This
figure confirms the view previously expressed that drainage defects
are not an important factor in the causation of diphtheria.
RETURN CASES OF DIPHTHERIA.
In four instances diphtheria occurred in houses to which
patients had returned from hospital. In each instance steps were
taken to test the condition of the discharged patient. In two
instances there was no evidence that the discharged patient
remained infectious.
The following are the facts relating to the other two outbreaks
:—
Case I.—Sidney R., 6 years, admitted to Borough Hospital with
diphtheria 8-12-08, and discharged 19-2-09. A brother, Leslie, aged
3, was away from home from 19-2-09 (before Sidney's return home)
till 7-3-09. Leslie failed with diphtheria 20-3-09, and on investigation
Sidney was found to have nasal discharge. Swab of his nose
taken 22-3-09 proved positive. Further swabs taken weekly proved
positive, and on 29-4-09 he was re-admitted to the Borough
Hospital.