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tality is due to the employment of anti-toxin. It is a subject
for congratulation that the employment of this Dew remedy has
to a large extent robbed Diphtheria of its terror; the only
regret being that its cost and difficulty of application militate
against its use in private practice.
During the year the Public Health Committee authorised me
to procure anti-toxin and supply it free of cost for use by medical
men when patients could not be at once removed to Hospital
on account of want of accommodation.
Later on the Asylums Board undertook to supply Medical
Officers of Health with the remedy to be used in the same
way, but the opening of the Park Hospital has rendered the
proposed course so far unnecessary.
Per 1000 population there were 2.2 cases in Plumstead and
2 9 in London.
31. The following are the rates per 1000 population of cases
occurring in the several wards:—South, 3.6; South West, 3.0;
North West, 2 2; East, 2.0; North, 1.8; South East, 16;
West, 1.5; North East, 1.4.
As in last year the South and South West shew a comparatively
high prevalence, aud the North East a low one. The
West Ward on the other hand had less Diphtheria than for
many years past, and the South East much less than in 1896.
The Slade school was most affected, and after it Burrage
Grove, High Street, and Ancona Eoad. No cases occurred at
Eglinton Road schools and only 3 at Bloornfield Road.
32. The 132 cases occurred in 111 houses.