View report page

Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
3 cases were notified in 1923,
Polio-Myelitis
2 cases were notified in 1923.
Bacteriological Laboratory.
The total number of specimens examined in 1923 was 3,532 as
compared with 3,977 in 1922, and 3,284 in 1921.
Table C.
Nature of Specimen.
Total
Examinations.
Results of Examination.
Positive.
Negative
1922
1923
1922
1923
1922
1923
Diphtheria (specimens taken
by Medical Officer of
Health)
1,141
42
1,698
78
1,620
1,099
Ditto (taken by general
practitioners)
159
1,092
862
65
933
797
2,790
237
107
Diphthria (total specimens
taken)
2,003
2,553
1.896
Phthisis
1,174
1,509
179
198
995
1,311
Various
13
20
7
-
6
20
3,532
423
3,554
3,977
305
3,227
Contacts.
We still keep very busy in the laboratory as the above table
shows. There was a fall of 500 in the number of school contacts
examined, and out of a total of 1,141, 42 were positive. These
children came up for re-examination in a week and were not
allowed to return to school until the examination proved negative.
It has frequently been questioned by School Medical Officers
and others, whether these contacts ever give rise to cases, and
I am afraid that our experience in Bermondsey does not furnish
any answer to this question. There is one thing, however, which