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95
For number of deaths and death-rates from Diphtheria, also see
Tables XVIII. and XIX., page 47.
267 swabbings from throats of doubtful cases of Diphtheria were
forwarded for bacteriological examination to the Lister Institute of Preventive
Medicine.* The Bacillus Diphtherias was isolated in 96 instances
(35.95 per cent.), and the Pseudo Diphtheritic Bacillus in 10 cases. See
pages 56-60 as to cases of Diphtheria admitted into Metropolitan Asylums
Board's Hospitals which were certified as not having the complaint.
No deductions have been made in respect of these patients.
The 110 cases in Poplar were notified from 85 premises, the 138 cases
in Bromley from 110 premises, and the 110 cases in Bow from 87 houses,
and of these premises the drains were found to be defective in 30 instances
—15 Poplar, 9 Bromley, and 6 Bow.
Proposed Supply of Antitoxin.
The Public Health and Housing Committee considered the question
of the supply of antitoxin to medical practitioners for use in suspected
cases of diphtheria pending the reception of reports on the bacteriological
examination of swabbings taken from the patients' throats. It had been
frequently pointed out to the Committee by the Medical Officer of Health,
and also by medical practitioners who had been communicated with in
respect of patients removed but afterwards found to be not suffering from
diphtheria, that it is very essential that patients should be removed to the
hospital as quickly as possible that they may be treated with Diphtheria
Antitoxin, and to delay removal, without antitoxin treatment, in order to
await the result of the bacteriological examinations, might endanger the
lives of patients. The time taken at the Lister Institute for a bacteriological
examination averages twelve hours after delivery of the swabbing,
and there is, of course, the further delay in the receipt of the swabbings
at the Public Health Offices and their despatch to the Lister Institute.
Results are telegraphed or telephoned, but if diphtheritic bacilli are found
at least a day's delay in removal has probably occurred, and further delay
is also caused owing to the fact that no bacteriological examinations are
made on Saturday afternoons or Sundays.
The Committee were advised that it is an important element in the
successful treatment of diphtheria with antitoxin that the injection should
be made as early as possible, and that, if there be reasonable suspicion
that a case be one of diphtheria, an injection of antitoxin should at once
be made.
* See page 62.