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56
There were 34 instances where more than one case occurred in the same house.
The number of Kensington deaths was 19, representing a case mortality of 6 per cent. In
the preceding years the deaths were 14, 22 and 29.
During the year, 1,699 throat swabs were examined at the council's laboratory at Princess
Louise Hospital, and of these 95 gave a positive result.
There were no " return " cases reported.
Three cases of diphtheria were reported from St. Mary Abbots Hospital, 46 from St. Charles
Hospital, four from the Kensington Institution, and 17 from the Princess Louise Kensington
Hospital for Children.
Under the Anti-toxin Order, 1910, the council are empowered to supply diphtheria antitoxin
for administration to patients who are too poor to pay, and on signing the necessary
declaration that the patient cannot afford specific treatment, a doctor can obtain a free supply
from Mr. Evans, chemist, at No. 135, Ladbroke Grove, W. 11, Mr. W. Reeves, chemist, at
No. 81, Cornwall Road, W.11, or from the public health department at the town hall. The antitoxin
is obtainable at all hours of the day and night from Mr. Evans's and Mr. Reeves's premises,
and during office hours from the town hall. When the town hall is closed, applications for antitoxin
can be made to Mr. Britton, an officer of the department, who lives at No. 1, Hornton Place,
Horrnton Street (only a few yards from the town hall).
The council lend syringes with portable sterilizers to doctors for the purpose of administering
the anti-toxin. Medical men administering the council's anti-toxin to poor persons are, on
application to the medical officer of health, paid a fee of 5s. per patient treated.
In 1935 the borough council supplied 520,000 units of anti-toxin for 41 patients at a cost of
£31 19s. 6d.
The borough council undertake to supply toxoid-antitoxin for the Schick test and immunisation
to any doctor in the borough who may be co-operating with the medical officer of health in an
attempt to limit the spread of diphtheria in any institution, provided that the consent of the
authorities of the institution and of the parents or guardians of the children concerned is obtained.
During 1934 the council introduced a scheme whereby doctors can immunise poor patients
against diphtheria in return for a fee of 10s. paid by the council in respect of each patient, and full
details of the scheme appeared in my report for that year. Particulars of the work carried out during
1935 appear on page 60 of this report.
Enteric Fever.—Seven cases of this disease were notified ; five were removed to hospital and
two to nursing homes. The cases notified in the three preceding years were 7, 11 and 14. There
was one death from this disease as against none and two in the preceding years. Five cases were
notified from South Kensington and two from North Kensington.
In two cases there was evidence that the disease had been contracted abroad ; two contracted
the disease during a visit to the country ; but the remaining three had not been out of Lodnon for
some time prior to their illness.
Erysipelas.—Sixty-three cases were notified, 32 of which were removed to hospital. There
were three deaths from this cause, the deaths in the three preceding years being eight, ten and
seven.