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29
of diphtheria,* and 15 of enteric fever. No cases
were reported from outside districts of infection taken
from this Parish, but it is probable that such cases
occurred.
In speaking of the prevalence of diphtheria, allusion
was made to a series of cases in the area west of
Queen's Road, many of the sufferers being scholars of
St. Matthew's Church School. (See page 21, supra).
This was the only instance during the twelvemonth
of any special spread of disease among the children
of any one school, and even in this case there were
so many other factors to be considered that it is not
certain that the school should be indicted. It
might almost be said that there was no evidence
of any school being a special means of spreading
infection, and no action was required beyond the
customary notices required by the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891. Inquiries were made as to milk
supplies, laundries, etc., but no conveyance of infection
was indicated thereby.
It is the practice of the Department to secure the
removal of the largest possible proportion of cases to
hospital, both with a view to prevent the spread of
infection, and for the better nursing of the sick. The
success achieved has been indicated in speaking of
each disease. There was during certain months of the
year a considerable strain on the accommodation
* If the secondary cases in Groups 26 and 31 (vide page 114) be
included, 21 cases of diphtheria have been due to importations, and the
total of such imported cases becomes 59.