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Report of the Medical Officer of Health. 61
ham, 60 in Putney, 387 in Streatham, 136 in Tooting, and 296
in Wandsworth.
The rate per 1,000 of population was 3.1, 3.3 in Clapham,
1.9 in Putney, 3.6 in Streatham, 3.2 in Tooting, and 2.8 in
Wandsworth.
The number of cases was 579 above the number in 1919, and
599 above the corrected decennial average.
Of the 1,104 cases, 925, or 83 per cent., were removed to
hospital.
With the exception of a localised outbreak in Streatham,
particulars of which are given in the following report, there was
no special outbreak during the year :—
Report on Diphtheria in Streatham.
"The first case was notified on the 18th December, 1919,
and was removed to hospital on the same day. This patient in
all probability contracted the disease at a Cinema on the 15th
December, 1919.
The next case was notified on the 22nd of December, this
patient having been in contact with the first case. This was followed
by one on the 24th December, who occupied the same bedroom
as the first case.
No further cases occurred till January 15th, 1920, when one
case was notified, followed by one on the 16th, two on the 20th,
one on the 22nd, one on the 23rd, one on the 24th, one on the
29th, two on the 30th, one on the 2nd February, and two on the
9th; a total of 16, 12 of whom were in residence at the place of
business.
Swabbing of the throats of the contacts was carried out and
those in whom positive results were obtained and in whom no
clinical symptoms appeared, were isolated and kept under careful
observation. Repeated swabs were taken, and not until
negative results were obtained, were they allowed to resume
their duties,