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83
During 1907 only one " return " case of diphtheria was
noted.
Forty-five cases notified as suffering from diphtheria (or
14.2 per cent.), and removed to hospital, were found not to be
suffering from the disease, and were returned to their homes.
Three hundred and eighty-six bacteriological examinations
were made during 1907, as compared with 235 in 1906, and 165
in 1905. In 116 cases a positive and in 270 a negative result
was obtained.
The value of the bacteriological diagnosis of diphtheria
cannot be over-estimated. The London County Council
(Educational Department) recognising this, have decided that
when diphtheria is about, and children have been kept from
school on account of attacks of sore throat, such children shall
not be allowed to return to school without a medical certificate
based on bacteriological examination, to the effect that they
are free from infection.
That this action on the part of the Educational Authority
is a useful precautionary measure will be at once apparent when
it is remembered that diphtheria is easily spread during an
outbreak by persons who carry in their noses or throats the
diphtheria germs, but who are, apparently, in good health.
The infectivity of these so-called " carrier " cases is one of
the most troublesome things to deal with, more especially in
children, who always are more or less susceptible when
aggregated together in schools or institutions.
Enteric Fever.
During 1907 37 cases of Typhoid Fever were notified in the
Borough of Battersea (including one case of continued fever),
as compared with 40 in 1906, and four deaths were registered,
giving a case-mortality of 10.8 per cent.