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It will be noted from these figures that not only was there
a greatly increased prevalence of diphtheria during 1921, but
there was evidence of increase in the virulence of infection, as
shown by the marked increase in the death-rate.
The number of houses invaded by diphtheria was 576,
multiple cases occuring in about 20 per cent, of the infected
houses.
Sixty cases notified as diphtheria and removed to hospital
were found not to be suffering from the disease, and were
discharged to their homes.
As in the case of other infectious diseases, the incidence of
diphtheria was greatest in the poorer and more congested areas
of the Borough—Winstanley and Church Wards contributing
265 (i.e., 37 per cent.) of the total number of diphtheria cases
notified, the diphtheria case-rate for this area (6·8) being double
that (3·4) for the remaining 7 Wards of the Borough.
Enteric Fever.
During 1921 there were 8 cases of enteric fever notified in
the Borough, as compared with 10 in 1920 and 11 in 1919.
Erysipelas.
During 1921, 75 cases of erysipelas were notified and 3
deaths were registered from the disease, as compared with 89
cases and 2 deaths in 1920. The case-mortality was 4·0 per cent.,
and the death-rate per 1,000 of the population was 0·018.
Cerebro Spinal Fever.
During 1921, 3 cases of cerebro-spinal fever (epidemic
cerebro-spinal meningitis) were notified in Battersea, as compared
with 7 cases in 1920. These 3 cases were removed to
hospital and ended fatally.
Encephalitis Lethargica
During 1921, 12 cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified
in Battersea, as compared with 6 cases in 1920. Nine cases
were removed to hospital. There were 2 deaths registered from
this disease.
Puerperal Fever.
Fifteen cases of puerperal fever were notified in Battersea
during 1921 and 4 deaths were registered from the disease,
giving a case-mortality of 26·7 per cent. The number of cases
per 1,000 births was 4·01 in 1921, as compared with 6·64 in
1920. The fatality-rate from puerperal fever per 1,000 births
was 1·1 in 1921, as compared with 1·5 in 1920 and 1·3 in 1919.
The death-rate per 1,000 population was 0·024. The deaths
from puerperal fever were distributed as follows: East