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BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
The following examinations were carried out by
the Clinical Research Association and the Royal Institute
of Public Health:—
Throat Swabs—submitted for examination 444
Diphtheria bacilli present in 98
Sputum —specimens submitted for examination 127
Tubercle bacilli present in 18
Blood-serum —specimens examined 2
Both gave a negative Widal result to Typhoid
Fever.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Tuberculosis of all kinds is notifiable, and particulars
of the number of notification certificates received
during the year is set out in the table appended
hereto. Owing to the fact that a case of tuberculosis
may be notified in several boroughs or districts, the
number of notification certificates received is only a
very imperfect guide to the amount of tuberculosis in
the borough. There is also the consideration that
notification is more strictly enforced in some districts
than in others. The only exact means known at present
of judging the prevalence of tuberculosis is by the
deaths recorded from the disease. There were 158
deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 deaths from
tuberculous meningitis, and 16 deaths from other
tuberculous diseases.
Much of the value which would come from notification
is discounted by the fact that it often comes
too late, sometimes only at the time of death. For