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clinical Diphtheria occurred in some of the houses, presumably,
and, in fact, in all probability, having arisen from the earlier very
mild cases; some of these later cases were attended with fatal
results. Accordingly, it was decided to require strict isolation
and treatment wherever the Diphtheria bacillus was found.
During the first quarter of the present year some 490
children have been examined previous to their readmission to
School, such children being considered by their parents or other
guardians, and in some cases, by their Medical Attendant, to be
fit for school attendance, and amongst these children there have
been found to be 47 definite cases where the Diphtheria bacillus
was present in the throat as well as 20 cases of a similarly
suspicious nature, also one case of Scarlet Fever and 4 suspicious
cases. In view of this condition of things the constant outbreaks
of Diphtheria and allied diseases which cannot be definitely
traced would appear to be of easy explanation. of course, in
the cases where the Diphtheria bacillus was definitely revealed
isolation and treatment were insisted upon, and the children
were not allowed to return to School until a definite negative
result was obtained from further bacteriological examination.
During the year, nine cases which were notified as Diphtheria,
and removed to the Hospital, were returned home after periods of
time varying from a few days up to several weeks as not suffering
from Diphtheria; of these patients six were stated to be suffering
from Tonsillitis, and one each from Syphilis and Measles, the
other case having no definite illness stated.
Erysipelas. Eighty-eight cases were notified during the
year, 29 being in East Greenwich, 31 in West Greenwich, 17 in