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1903] 110
ENTERIC FEVER.
The decrease in the number of cases of Enteric Fever was very remarkable,
being more than 54 per cent. below the corrected average of ten years. The
actual number of separate notifications was only 130, as against a decennial
average of 258, and were equal to an annual attack-rate of 0.38, as compared
with 0.76 per 1,000 in the ten years 1892-1902.
In London the rate was 0.5 per 1,000, and in the Encircling Boroughs
070.
Hospital Isolation.—100 cases, or 76.9 per cent., were isolated, and of
these only 11, or 11 per cent., died; while of 30 cases kept at home 11,or 36.7
per cent., died, or more than three times the fatality of the hospital cases.
There is no disease which it is so essential should be treated in hospital as
Enteric Fever. It may be said without fear of contradiction that in the
ordinary working class, or even lower middle class, homes it is impossible to
treat Enteric Fever as it should be treated, for neither the means nor the
nursing staff are available. Nursing is more than half the battle, but it is not
obtainable because of the cost.
Fatality.—22 cases, or 16.9 per cent., were fatal, which is slightly under
the average of thirteen years.