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254
In considering the foregoing Table the most noticeable results are
the extreme virulence of the disease in Stratford Ward and the high
attack rate in Forest Gate. Before, however, a just estimate can be
arrived at, certain points bearing upon these results have to be
mentioned. In the first place, the attack rate of Forest Gate Ward
is considerably increased owing to an extensive epidemic of diphtheria
at the beginning of the year occurring in the Forest Gate Industrial
School belonging to the Poplar Board of Guardians, and, in the second
place, an allowance must be made for possible error in the estimated
populations of the various Wards. With these limitations, I am still
of opinion that the fatality of the cases was greater in the Stratford
Ward than elsewhere, while the actual invasion of the disease cannot
be said to have been inordinately marked in any one area. A careful
watch of the notifications received from day to day has not revealed
signs of any special localized outbreak pointing to a definite exciting
cause, the records throughout the year appearing to suggest that the
circumstances associated with the spread of the disease were general
rather than specific. Some countenance is given to this view by comparing
the diphtheria death-rate during the current year with that of
some populous districts in the Metropolis and in other large English
towns:—

Table IX.