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48
There were 24 specimens of blood forwarded for bacteriological
investigation from suspected cases of Typhoid Fever, and
in 13 cases the diagnosis was negative, whilst in the remaining 11
cases a positive reaction was obtained.
During the year the country at large was somewhat scared by
the undue prominence given by the press to the spread of alleged
Typhoid infected blankets, which had been returned from South
Africa. Investigation was made in Greenwich as to the two consignments
delivered here, and in both cases, as far as possible, all
the necessary steps were taken by means of disinfection to prevent
any infection thereby, and as far as we are able to ascertain, no
cases of illness in the Borough had arisen therefrom. In accordance
with the desire of the Local Government Board, a report
upon this subject was forwarded to that Board in reference to the
blankets in this district.
Outbreaks of Enteric Fever have been traced to the use of
watercress as a food in certain parts of London during the year,
and investigations have been made in this district bearing upon
the same point, but as far as we have been able to gather, the
population of Greenwich do not eat much watercress. None
of the cases of Typhoid Fever notified, or their families, state
that they have eaten watercress within any very recent period.
Puerperal Fever. There were 7 cases of this disease
notified during the year, 1 being in a person between the age of
fifteen and twenty-five years, and 6 being persons over twenty-five
years of age. Three of the cases arose in East Greenwich, 2 in
West Greenwich, 1 in St. Nicholas, and 1 in Charlton, and 4 of
the cases were removed to the Hospital for treatment, being in
each case the Union Infirmary. Particular enquiry has been made