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90
Two Thousand Bacteriological
Examinations made during 1899=1902.
(Special Report by the Medical Officer of Health).
Since the opening of the Lambeth Laboratory at Wanless
Road in January, 1899, up to the end of 1902, the large number
of 2037 bacteriological examinations have been made in connection
with suspected cases of Consumption, Diphtheria, Typhoid,
and other diseases. The specimens examined consisted of (1)
Throat Membranes and other discharges; (2) Sputa; (3) Blood;
(4) Ice Creams; (5) Urine; (6) Liver; and (7) Ulcer of Face;
and the details may be tabulated as follows: —
Bacilli found or re-action
obtained.
TOTAL.
YES.
NO.
Throat Membranes 262 810 1072
Sputa 233 332 565
Blood 193 192 385
Ice Creams 3 6
Urine 4 3 7
Liver 1 1
Ulcer of Face 1 1
695 1342 2037;
Diphtheria.
1072 samples of throat membranes and discharges from doubtful
Diphtheria cases have been examined, and in 262 (i.e., 24.4
per cent.) the true Klebs-Lœffler (Diphtheria) bacilli were obtained.
In this way, on the one hand, patients suffering from
true Diphtheria have been properly isolated in Hospital or at
home, and the necessary precautions taken to prevent the extension
of the disease; whilst, on the other hand, patients not