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49
Diphtheria.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified in Battersea during
1933 was 396 as compared with 312 in 1932, 298 in 1931, 489 in
1930, and 445 in 1929.
The number of deaths registered from the disease was 12,
giving a death-rate of 0.08, as compared with 9 deaths and a deathrate
of 0.06 in 1932, 5 deaths and a death-rate of 0.03 in 1931,
15 deaths and a death-rate of 0.09 in 1930, and 12 deaths and a
death-rate of 0.07 in 1929.
Of the 396 cases notified 395 or 99.7 per cent. were removed
to hospital. The infected houses numbered 344.
In 54 other cases notified (not included in the above total) the
diagnosis of Diphtheria was not confirmed at hospital.
The case-rate per 1,000 population was 2.57 as compared
with 1.99 in 1932, 1.86 in 1931, 3.04 in 1930, and 2.75 in 1929.
The case-mortality was 3.03 per cent. as compared with 2.88 per
cent. in 1932, 1.68 per cent. in 1931, 3.07 per cent. in 1930, and
2.70 per cent. in 1929.
The incidence of the disease was highest in the Nine Elms,
Church and Winstanley Wards, the districts of the Borough in
which the housing conditions are least satisfactory.
Diphtheria anti-toxin, in accordance with the recommendation
of the Ministry of Health, is supplied free of charge on the request
of any registered medical practitioner, at any hour of the day or
night.
During the year 9 phials (approximately 66,000 units) of
anti-toxin were supplied, on request, to medical practitioners
practising in the Borough.
Schick Clinic.
The Schick Clinic, established at the close of 1927, is held
weekly at the Southlands Maternity and Child Welfare Centre.
The work is carried on under the supervision of Dr. F. Porter
Smith, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.