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(iii) A limitation of the extension of membrane.
(iv) An earlier separation of the exudation.
(v) A limitation and earlier separation of the membrane in laryngeal cases.
(vi) An improvement in the general condition and aspect of the patients.
(vii) A prolongation of life in cases which terminate fatally to an extent not
obtained in the former methods of treatment.
Finally the opinion of the medical officers is that Anti-toxic Serum is a remedy
of distinctly greater value in the treatment of diphtheria than any other with which
they are acquainted.
In a supplementary report on 119 cases of diphtheria occurring after scarlet
fever at the Northern (convalescent) Hospital during the year 1895, the medical
superintendent, Dr. Hume gives statistics which show an exceedingly low mortality
of 3.3 per cent., there being only four deaths. The number of cases which occurred
at the Northern Hospital during the three years 1892-1894 was 119, of which 75
terminated fatally, a mortality of 63 per cent., an enormous difference when contrasted
with the mortality of 1895.
Dr. Hume states that there is no reason to suppose that there has been any
change in the type of disease coincidently with the introduction of the Anti-toxin
treatment. The local and constitutional conditions which were formerly so fatal
have not supervened and it is reasonable to ascribe this fact to the new treatment.
SMALLPOX.
This disease was not quite so prevalent in London this year as last, 55 deaths
were registered as due to it, being at the rate of 0.01 per 1000 inhabitants. The cases
were most numerous during the months of July, August and September, and were
fewest in May and December. Inmates of common lodging-houses and shelters, tramps
and casuals, formed a very considerable proportion of those stricken with this
complaint.
In August, a communication was addressed by the Local Government Board to
the Vestries and District Boards in the Metropolis, calling attention to the considerable
increase then recently undergone by smallpox in London. This circumstance was
remarked upon as being more noteworthy as smallpox, in London, is, as a rule, at its
lowest ebb during the summer months. The Board attached very great importance
to the most energetic measures being taken, with the view of preventing the spread
of infection, and expressed a desire to be furnished with information as to the measures
taken by the Medical Officer of Health in each case.
There were 15 cases of smallpox in Shoreditch, which occurred during the months
of June, July, August and September. The particulars as to the cases so far as I have
been able to ascertain them are contained in the following summary:—