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Rate of persons notified per 1,000 inhabitants—1.9 Inner
Districts, and 1.2 Outer Districts.
1644 swabs from suspected diphtheria throats were examined
at the Laboratory during 1905, and, of these, 111, i.e., 6.8 percent.,
shewed the presence of the true Klebs-Læffler (diphtheria)
bacilli.
No genuine "return" cases have been found during 1905
connected with the intimations of discharged Lambeth patients
received from the Metropolitan Asylums Board.
The value of antitoxin as a remedy for Diphtheria is now
acknowledged, more especially when used in the early stages of
the diseases, e.g., first or second days. During 1905, 74 vials
have been distributed gratuitously in Lambeth Borough by the
Council.
MEMBRANOUS CROUP.
During 1905, in the Borough of Lambeth, 11 cases were notified
from Membranous Croup, but no death was registered, as compared
with a yearly average of 26 cases notified and 8 deaths
registered throughout the old Parish of Lambeth during 10
years (1891-1900). 2 cases were removed to Hospital.
In London, during 1905, there were registered 553 deaths, out
of a total of 6,365 cases of Diphtheria and 124 of Membranous
Croup notified, giving a case-mortality of 8.5 per cent.†
(uncorrected).
* Antitoxin first gratuitously distributed in Lambeth by the late Vestry
on August 3rd, 1899.
† In London Statistics, Diphtheria and Membranous Croup are now
grouped together by the Registrar-General.