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154
1903]
BACTERIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF DIPHTHERIA,
ENTERIC FEVER AND PHTHISIS.
The examination of sputum and blood to enable medical men to arrive at an
early, or a more certain diagnosis of these diseases, is now generally undertaken
by the Sanitary Authorities of London and of the chief cities of the Kingdom.
Indeed many of them have extended their operations, and, having set up
bacteriological departments of their own, with fully qualified bacteriologists at
their head, now examine large quantities of food, particularly of milk. No doubt
the time will come when Islington will follow suit, nay, will be compelled to do
so, for the science of bacteriology has placed a powerful weapon in the hands
of those engaged in public health work for the protection of the public. Look at
what was done during the last eighteen months with respect to oysters, cockles,
shell fish and watercress ! how Enteric Fever was traced to them, and how
bacteriology enabled the investigators to declare which were the polluted
beds.
This science is doing a great work at the present time in enabling medical
men to detect Phthisis in its early stage, and if it never accomplished anything
more it would deserve the very highest enconiums for its usefulness in this direction.
But for it many persons, now hale and strong, would have drifted into
being incurable consumptives; they are also the mainstay of their families, who,
otherwise, might have been greatly reduced in circumstances or thrown on the
parish for relief.
In Islington the services of the Lister Institute are retained for the
examination of the sputum of persons suspected to be suffering from Phthisis
and Diphtheria, and of the blood of patients who are supposed to have been
attacked with Enteric Fever.
During the year 283 specimens from patients suspected to be suffering from
one or other of these diseases were examined, with the result that they were
diagnosed in 69 instances.
The particulars for each disease are as follows:—
Diphtheria.—The bacillus of this disease was found in 14 out of
78 examinations, or in 17.9 per cent.
Enteric Fever.—69 examinations of blood were made, and in 15, or 21.7
per cent., this fever was detected.
Phthisis.—The sputa of 136 persons were examined, resulting in the
bacilli of tuberculosis being discovered in 40, or in 29.4 per cent.
The examinations of the specimens from patients suspected to be suffering
from Diphtheria and Enteric Fever decreased considerably in number, but this
was solely due to the fact that there was an abnormal decrease in the attacks
of these diseases during the year.