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not suffering from any infectious disease, so the total of diphtheria and
membranous croup is 593. The corresponding total for 1899 was
664; so that like scarlatina, though not to the same extent, this
disease was less prevalent during last year, the attack-rate being 2.6
per 1,000 living. The deaths numbered 62, which is equivalent to a
mortality-rate of 10 03 per cent. attacked, and .27 per 1,000 of the
population. The number removed to hospital was 414, being equal
to 678 per cent. of the cases notified. The accompanying chart
shows the disease to have been at its highest point during the
months of July and November, and lowest during the month of June.
During the year 1900, I represented to the Public Health
Committee that it was desirable to obtain a bacteriological examination
of material from the throats of patients in doubtful cases of
diphtheria and membranous croup, and also of blood in doubtful cases
of enteric or typhoid fever, in order to secure early diagnosis for the
purpose of isolation or removal to hospital. I was instructed to make
whatever arrangements I thought necessary. To this end, I arranged
with the superintendent of the Jenner Institute for a supply of tubes,
swabes, &c., and for the bacteriological examination of material from
cases of diphtheria and enteric fever at a cost of 2s. 6d. per examination.
I further informed the medical practitioners of Hackney
by letter of the measures taken, and that the local authority were
prepared to supply them with apparatus, and have these examinations
made free of cost. These arrangements were made in the month of
October, and since then six samples of diphtheria material, and one
sample of blood from enteric fever patients have been examined.
Anti-toxin serum was supplied to medical practitioners to the
number of 24 bottles during the year.
Enteric ok Typhoid Fever.—This disease was less prevalent
during 1900 than during 1899, the number of cases notified during
these years respectively, being 219 and 254—a decrease of 35 upon
the year 1899. Of the above total for 1900, no less than 151 were
removed to hospital, but of the latter 8 were returned as not being
cases of infectious disease, so that the total of real cases of typhoid