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them, thereby ensuring a suitable temperature for the
growth of the bacillus which was apparently inoculated
upon this most suitable medium from the throats of one or
more of the scholars. The open troughs were of iron (galvanized)
and wood, and their states, on examination, such as to
leave no doubt in the minds of those who saw them that they
had acted as a source of danger, and had doubtlessly
helped to cause, or caused, the ill-defined throat troubles
(for months past), and the recent subsequent outbreak
of true Diphtheria. These open troughs were condemned
and done away with—a course of action advisable for
other schools that may be fitted with such appliances.
The pseudo- and the true- Diphtheria patients were isolated,
and the school closed, pending the remodelling and
reconstructing of its sanitary arrangements, which were
found defective and old-fashioned.
Isolation of pseudo-throats has been practised in Lambeth
with very good results, and the Lambeth example might, with
advantage, be followed elsewhere, where this is not already
done. It is common knowledge that the large increase in
the number of Diphtheria cases appears to be due (in part)
to the fact that slight cases of infectious throats are
not detected, and consequently allowed to be a source
of danger to others. All sanitarians are agreed, therefore,
as to the necessity for frequent bacteriological examinations
of swabs taken in all cases of doubtful throat complaints.
The large number of swabs sent in for examination
in Lambeth is cause for congratulation, and it is hoped
that the Medical Practitioners will not hesitate to
make as much use as possible of the opportunities offered
by the Vestry. Bacteriological diagnosis is now a recognised
necessity as an aid, especially in cases of suspected
Diphtheria or other infectious throat complaints.
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