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188
1909]
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year 577 specimens were examined for the medical profession
practising in Islington (to enable them to diagnose with certainty suspicious
cases of Diphtheria, Enteric Fever, and Phthisis) as compared with 545 in the
preceding year, and 471 in 1907.
Diphtheria.—300 specimens were examined, as contrasted with 281 in
1908 and 223 in 1907. This is the largest number hitherto forwarded for
examination. In 64 instances the Lister Institute returned certificates showing
positive results, and in 236 giving negative results.
Enteric Fever.—Specimens of blood were examined in 55 instances, of
which number 20 gave positive results, and 35 negative.
Phthisis.—The sputum of 222 patients was examined, and the reports
showed that 60 persons were suffering from the disease, and that 162 were not.
All these examinations were made by the Lister Institute, who during the
last eleven and a half years have examined 4,251 specimens for the Borough
Council, namely:—1,807 Diphtheria, 835 Enteric Fever, and 1,609 Phthisis, and
enabling the medical profession of Islington to diagnose diseases in 1,583
instances, or in 37.2 per cent. of the doubtful cases which they had under
treatment.