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66
In London the death-rate from diphtheria in
1894 was 0.61 per 1,000, the mean rate for the preceding
nine years having been 0.36, or rather
more than half the rate for last year. In England
and Wales the death-rate from this cause was
0.28 per 1,000, 0.09 above the mean rate for the
ten years 1884-93.
Of the 372 cases notified in Paddington 213
were removed to hospital for treatment, and among
those patients there were 60 deaths, equal to a case
mortality of 28.1 per cent. Among the cases
treated at home, the case mortality was 20.1 per
cent.
During the past year the Medical Officer of
Health to the London County Council presented a
"Preliminary Memorandum on the increase of
Diphtheria in London," which contains a large
amount of statistical information concerning the
prevalence of this disease, not only in London but
also in the whole country. A few short abstracts
from that report have been thought to be instructive
and are here inserted.
Abstract.
Between 1872 and 1881 the death-rate from
diphtheria averaged 0.13 per 1,000 per annum in
London; in 1882 the rate was 0.22, and in 1883
and 1884, 0.24. In 1885 it fell to 0.22, and in 1886
was still lower, viz., 0.20. Since that latter date it