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54
DIPHTHERIA.
During 1898, 108 deaths were registered in Lambeth
from Diphtheria, as compared with 138 during 1897, and
an annual average of 122.8 for the last ten years (1888 to
1897).
813 cases were notified during 1898, as compared with
704 in 1897, and an annual average of 555.5 for the
eight years, 1890 to 1897.
Of the 813 cases notified, 278 were removed to hospital
and 535 were treated at their homes. The case mortality
per cent. for the year is, therefore, 13.3, varying from 20.9
to 8.04, according as the cases were treated at hospital or
at home respectively, a difference, in all probability, to be
explained, as usual, by the greater severity of the cases
sent to hospital.
The case mortality rate, as a whole, for Lambeth is
low, pointing to the mildness of the majority of the cases,
more especially in Lambeth Church 1st and Kennington
2nd, where the case mortality was only 3.5% and 7.8%
respectively! In these two districts outbreaks of throat
trouble were noted, but it is doubtful whether or not
the cases were true Diphtheria, with the result that, in all
probability, many cases of unsuspected Diphtheria were the
means of spreading the disease. No means for bacteriological
diagnosis were then provided by the Vestry, unfortunately.