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57
497 swabs from suspected diphtheria throats or noses
were examined at the Bacteriological Laboratory during
1912, and, of these, 55 (i.e., 11.1 per cent.) showed the
presence of the true Klebs-Lœffler (diphtheria) bacilli. In
this connection, the point cannot be too well emphasised
that a positive bacteriological result proves much, but that
a negative result proves practically nothing. Several
negative results must be obtained in succession before any
trustworthy conclusions may be drawn as to the absence
of a disease.
MEMBRANOUS CROUP.
During 1912, in the Borough, 5 cases were notified from
membranous croup,* but no death was registered. 4
cases were removed to hospital, †
The annual averages for the decennium 1901-10 are (1)
notified cases 10.4, and (2) deaths 1.5‡.
*Membranous Croup Notification Certificates received since the
formation of the new Borough:—1901, 13; 1902. 15; 1903,9; 1904,11;
1905, 11; 1906, 11; 1907, 13 ; 1908, 12 ; 1909, 3 ; 1910, 6 ; 1911, 4.
†Of the 4 cases of Membranous Croup removed to Hospital, 1
proved at Hospital not to be suffering from that disease.
‡In London Statistics Diphtheria and Membranous Croup are now
grouped together by the Registrar-General.