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34
Thirty-six cases occurred during the months of September
and October, but in two cases only was the source of infection
directly traceable, the cause of the epidemic being probably
seasonal and climatic. In two other cases the disease was
undoubtedly contracted outside the parish.
During the two succeeding months to the end of the year
only eight cases were notified, and there has not since been any
unusual prevalence of the disease.
One death occurred of a case of Puerperal Fever removed to
hospital. Of the six remaining at home two died. The case of
Typhus was sent back from hospital as being really Pneumonia.
Erysipelas.
For some reason this disease has increased during
the last few years in the Metropolis. During 1897
two hundred and twenty-five cases were notified, of these fourteen
were removed to hospital, of whom two died. Of the two
hundred and eleven remaining at home nine died. Those
removed were admitted into the Wandsworth and Clapham Union
Infirmary in the majority of instances. The term Erysipelas
covers so many degrees and forms of inflammatory affections, that
no further discussion of the subject would be profitable.
Table XII. is a table shewing the incidence of notifiable disease
in the different sanitary districts, and, taking into consideration
the numerical differences of population, the numbers are more
equal than may appear at first sight.
Diarrhœa.
One hundred and forty-four fatal cases were
registered from this cause alone, the majority being
hand-fed infants. To reduce this mortality the Health Committee
has for some years issued the following handbill during
the hotter months, when disorders of the digestive tract are most
prevalent. It is hoped that much good has been done and many
lives saved by this means, as a notable diminution in the number
of fatal cases has always been manifest after its issue. One case
was notified as Cholera. It proved to be of the English Cholera
type, and the patient recovered.