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As the result of work of the most recent date, and as foreshadowed 20 years ago
by the observations of Andrewes and Horder, it would appear that members of
the hæmolytic streptococcal group, especially those associated with scarlet fever
and puerperal fever, are in all probability more or less closely related one to the
other by a common factor, possibly an antigenic similarity, e.g., in the capability
of different strains to absorb agglutinin for a particular strain (e.g., scarlatinal)
from the corresponding (scarlatinal) serum. What, however, is the precise nature
of this affinity, or whether there exists a specific differentiation for individual
strains as indicated by Gordon's serological grouping into separate types, and
dependent on the degree of personal immunity, remains for future research to
demonstrate.
Other
investigations.
Ringworm.—A total of 2,642 specimens of hair was examined as compared
with 2,694 in 1924. Of these 1,567 were returned as negative and 12 as suspicious.
The 1,063 positive specimens showing the presence of fungus were sub-divided as
follows:—844 small spore, 195 large spore ringworm, and 24 favus.
Conjunctivitis.—Films from the eye discharges of 28 infants were examined
for evidence of gonococcal ophthalmia. The gonococcus was recognised in four,
doubtful in two, and not identified in the remaining twenty-two cases, in which
various gram-positive cocci or bacilli only were seen.
Miscellaneous specimens sent for examination included (1) sputum, two
specimens ; tubercle bacilli found in one. (2) Urine—four specimens for chemical
and microscopical examination. (3) Fluid from pemphigus blisters in the case
of two infants yielded negative results. (4) Throat and nose swabs from three
infants showed no diphtheria bacilli.
Blood examinations.—Two cases. (1) Complete count yielded typical picture
of pernicious anaemia in an assistant teacher. (2) Blood films proved negative for
malarial parasites in a school nurse.
Tuberculosis.

Notification
of tuberculosis.
The number of notifications of tuberculosis received in London boroughs during
1925 (52 weeks), after correction of the figures by the exclusion of cases notified
as primary but eventually found to have been previously notified, was 9,661 as
compared with 9,613 in 1924 (53 weeks). The cases of pulmonary tuberculosis
numbered 7,554 and other cases 2,107, the corresponding figures for last year being
7,406 and 2,207.
The following is an analysis of the notifications in London during
1925 (52 weeks).