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1913]
202
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
These examinations, gratuitously made for the medical profession, again
increased in number, for which the Insurance Act was mainly responsible
by bringing a larger numbed of suspected cases of pulmonary phthisis under
observation. Diphtheritic specimens also showed an increase.
These examinations have now been made for nearly 16 years, during
which time 8,028 specimens have been submitted by the practitioners of
Islington and reported on by the Lister Institute, whose bacteriologists continue
to perform their work in a most admirable manner. In the case of
3,708 specimens the suspected disease was Diphtheria, in 1,050 Enteric Fever,
and in 3,270 Phthisis.
Diphtheria—581 swabs of mucus taken from the throats of patients
suspected to be suffering from Diphtheria, were examined, as contrasted with
435 in 1912. 163 positive results were obtained; and the cases were afterwards
duly notified by the practitioners.
Enteric Fever.—52 specimens of blood were examined, 24 being
positive and 28 negative.
Phthisis—729 specimens of sputum were examined, which is an increase
of 417 on the record of 1912. This increase was without doubt due to
two causes, the first being the compulsory notification of the disease
under the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911, and the second to
the advent of the National Insurance Act. Of the 729 specimens, 183 gave
positive results, and 546 negative.