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77
Parish of Streatham.
Diphtheria has become epidemic in London, its mode of
origin and propogation is occupying the attention of Sanitarians.
There can he little doubt that it is disseminated
in the main by personal infection. I came to this
conclusion in the year 1888, when there was a considerable
prevalence of the disease and a higher mortality
than in any year of the decennium, and reported thereon
to the Local Committee. I was then very strongly impressed
with the need there was of a longer isolation of
diphtheria cases than was then deemed necessary. I
believe, in the Metropolitan Asylums Board fever
Hospitals, Bacteriological examination of cases of
diphtheria is being carried out largely, and patients are
not sent home until the diphtheria bacillus can no
longer be found in the secretions of the throat, and I
understand this often requires six or eight weeks to
accomplish. This mode of enquiry will, I think, ultimately
prove to be very beneficial. I am strongly of
opinion that the system of rendering water-tight all
drains will, in years to come, tend to eradicate the disease.
Typhoid Fever and
Whooping Cough.
The mortality from both these diseases did
not exceed the decennial average. The total number of
deaths being four and seventeen respectively. Here
however, in common with the Metropolis, the number of
cases of typhoid seems to be on the increase, thirtythree
cases having occurred during the year.
Diarrhœa.
The mortality from Diarrhœa was decidedly
below the average, and the diminished prevalence of the
disease was undoubtedly consequent upon the low
temperature, and unusually heavy rainfall during the
summer months.
Cholera.
During the year although no cases of true
Asiatic Cholera occurred, a case of sudden death was
suspected as being due to this cause, but subsequent