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47
Diphtheria was unusually prevalent during 1911, the number of
eases notified being higher than any annual number since the year 1901.
The chief prevalence occurred in the Town Ward during the latter
half of the year. The disease showed an exceptionally high degree of
infectivity, secondary cases being common, while two families had no
less than four cases each. In a considerable number of the cases it was
possible to trace the source of infection to contact with a previous case.
Three cases occurred among the staff of the North-Western Hospital of
the Metropolitan Asylums Board. School attendance, in all probability,
played a part in the spread of the disease. Class-rooms in which cases
occurred were visited by the Medical Officers of the London County
Council, and a considerable number of specimens were taken for bacteriological
examination. Several apparently healthy children were
found to be harbouring diphtheria bacilli in the throat or nose, and were
excluded from school until a negative result had been obtained. In
dealing with the disease considerable use was made of the facilities for
bacteriological examination afforded by the Borough Council. The
total number of specimens examined during the year was 157, of which
53 gave a positive, and 104 a negative result.
In accordance with the Diphtheria Anti-toxin(London) Order,
1910, the Borough Council supply Anti-toxin free to medical practitioners
for use for the poorer inhabitants of the Borough. Seven
applications for Anti-toxin were received during the year, and 28,000
units were supplied.
Enteric Fever.
The number of cases notified was 13, as compared with 16 in 1910
and 13 in 1909. The attack-rate per 1000 population was 0.15. The
number of fatal cases was 2, or 15.4 per cent. of the cases notified. The
death-rate per 1000 population was 0.02; 9 patients, or 69 per cent. of
the total cases notified, were removed to hospital.
Eight specimens of blood from patients suspected to be suffering
from enteric fever were submitted by the doctors in attendance for
bacteriological examination, five specimens proving positive and three
negative.