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35
observation frequently, some times shewing the presence of a
few diphtheria organisms, and at other times whilst suffering from
sore throat, yet the definite bacteriological evidence of diphtheria
was not forthcoming. After the removal of the patient to the
Hospital, however, all the members of the family were again
examined when it was found that J. W., although apparently
quite well in health was suffering from a sore on his foot. The
mother stated that he had had this sore for a long time, in fact
months, and although she had been treating it with ointment,
fomentations, &c., under the direction of medical men and in
other ways according to the advice given to her by neighbours
and friends, yet the sore on the foot showed no signs of
improvement. On my closely examining the sore it appeared to
me undoubtedly to have a diphtheroid appearance. I accordingly
took a swab from the sore and submitted that to bacteriological
examination, this giving a profuse positive diphtheritic growth,
and this patient J. W., was accordingly notified and removed to
the Hospital, after which date no further either definite cases of
diphtheria or the very troublesome sore throat illnesses which had
been prevalent occurred amongst the people in this house which
included a large number of children.
During the latter part of the year an outbreak occurred in
connection with the boys in the Royal Hospital School; it
occasioned great anxiety at the time. Although these premises
being Government buildings are not amenable in the ordinary
way to the requirements of the Sanitary Authority, and
accordingly the cases of infectious disease occurring therein are
not notified and included in the above returns, yet by the
courtesy of the Medical Authorities at the School we are kept