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85
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
In 1907, the percentage of cases of mistaken diagnosis for
the whole of London was: for Scarlet Fever 6'8, compared with
5.2 in 1906; for Diphtheria 17, compared with 18.3; and for
Enteric Fever 29.1, compared with 33.7.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
Five cases of Cerebro-spinal Fever were notified during the
year (one from Clapham, two from Streatham, one from Tooting,
and one from Wandsworth), compared with three in 1907.
One of the cases was notified from St. Thomas's Hospital,
one from the Belgrave Hospital for Children, and one from the
Westminster Hospital. These cases proved fatal.
The diagnosis in these cases was confirmed by lumbar puncture
and bacteriological examination. In the other two cases,
which recovered, no bacteriological examination was made.
In London 85 cases of this disease were notified during the
year, compared with 153 in 1907.
17 deaths were registered as having been caused by Meningitis
(four in Clapham, two in Putney, six in Streatham, and five
in Wandsworth).
Six of these were of infants under one year, five from one to
five years, and six over five years of age.
As in previous years, inquiries were made from the medical
attendant, and in all the cases the disease was stated to have been
simple Meningitis.
Bacteriological Examinations.
During the year 491 bacteriological examinations were made
at the Lister Institute, compared with 466 in 1907, 407 in 1906,
174 in 1905, 121 in 1904, 125 in 1903, 98 in 1902, and 66 in 1901.
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