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38
Facilities for the free bacteriological examination of swabs
are available, and anti-toxin is supplied, at any hour of the day
or night, free by the Council for use by medical practitioners
practising in Battersea.
Enteric Fever.
During 1923, 12 cases of typhoid or enteric fever were notified
in Battersea. Of these 4 cases were cancelled, the diagnosis not
being confirmed at hospital. Two of the remaining cases were paratyphoid
fever. One death was recorded from typhoid fever in 1923.
In most of the cases the source of infection was difficult to
trace with any degree of certainty. In one case the patient was a
nurse and had been engaged in nursing a typhoid patient, and it is
probable that she was infected in the course of her duties. Another
case there is reason to believe was infected by eating cockles whilst
staying at a south-coast town. In the remaining cases, including
the fatal case, no definite evidence as to the source of infection was
obtainable.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever (Posterior Basic Meningitis).
During 1923, 4 cases of cerebro-spinal fever were notified in
Battersea. Two deaths occurred from this disease during the year.
Encephalitis Lethargica.
Three cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified in Battersea
during 1923, as compared with 2 cases in 1922 and 12 cases in 1921.
Two cases were removed to hospital, both of which were fatal.
Puerperal Fever.
Seven cases of puerperal fever were notified in Battersea during
1923, as compared with 13 cases in 1922 and 15 cases in 1921. There
were no deaths from this cause in 1923. The number of cases per
1,000 births was 2·04, as compared with 3•55 in 1922. The notified
cases were distributed as follows : East Battersea 3, North-West
Battersea 2, South-West Battersea 2.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were 42 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum notified in
Battersea during the year 1923, as compared with 41 in 1922,
61 in 1921, 105 in 1920, and 78 in 1919. The rate per 1,000 births
was 12·2, as compared with 11·2, 16·3 and 22·5 in 1922, 1921
and 1920 respectively.