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18
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SUSPECTED CASES OF
DIPHTHERIA.
The Vestry have made arrangements with the British Institute of
Preventive Medicine for the bacteriological examination of suspected cases
of Diphtheria. Medical practitioners are furnished with sterile swabs
and tubes for the collection of the membrane or secretion from suspected
throats, and they are informed of the result of the examination within
twenty-four hours. During the last four months 48 cases were examined
in this way, in 30 of which the bacillus diphtheria was isolated.
Errors in Diagnosis.—Of 141 patients admitted into the Western Hospital
8 or 5.6 per cent, were found after sojourn in the hospital to be
suffering from other diseases. In 1896 the corresponding percentage
was 12.8.
ENTERIC FEVER.
Fifty-three cases were notified, or 4.4 per 10,000 inhabitants, the average
number for the preceding eight years being 4.5 per 10,000.

MORTALITY.
The disease was the cause of twelve deaths, giving a case mortality of
22.6 per cent., the average for the past four years being 19.2.

There were no cases attributable to the Maidstone epidemic, but in
six cases the disease was contracted outside London, and in three cases in
other sanitary districts of the metropolis. In three cases the disease was
thought to have been due to the consumption of shellfish.