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Bacteriological Diagnosis of Consumption.—-The number of specimens of
expectoration sent by medical men for bacteriological examination, from cases in
which there was some doubt as to the diagnosis, was 440 as against 459 in 1919. Of
these, 69 were found to contain the bacillus of consumption, while the remainder
were free.
Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis.—The great bulk of the total notifications—44
as against 37 in 1919—in the case of this form of tuberculosis came from institutions
where the patients were undergoing treatment. Visits were paid to the homes and,
where necessary, advice with regard to the obtaining of treatment was offered.
Particulars as to the parts affected by the disease will be found in the table on
page 54.
INFLUENZA.
Although the Ministry of Health feared that there might be a further
outbreak of influenza in 1920, and in December, 1919, issued a special warning
to Medical Officers of Health and made arrangements for the distribution
of special vaccine, no epidemic occurred and so far as Marylebone was concerned,
the deaths certified as due to the disease numbered only 18 as against 117 in 1919
and 266 in 1918. In connection with the distribution of vaccine against the disease,
though the fact that it was obtainable was made widely known, only 71 bottles were
supplied. The total number of persons inoculated was 112 and of these only 2 were
attacked with influenza. The attack in each instance was quite mild. During the
year, special posters containing advice with regard to prevention, etc., were again
exhibited throughout the borough, and leaflets were widely distributed. A supply
of posters and leaflets was sent to the headmaster or headmistress of each school in
the borough for posting and for distribution among the children.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year the Council continued to place facilities at the disposal of
medical practitioners for having bacteriological examinations carried out in order to
assist in diagnosis of infectious diseases. This work was done by Dr. Foulerton, of
the University College Hospital, who, in addition, carried out a number of other
examinations for the Council, e.g., of milk samples, referred to elsewhere.

DISINFECTION.
The work done in this connection during 1920 is shown in the following tables.
The methods employed daring the greater part of the time were substantially the
same as in previous years, articles suitable for treatment by steam were dealt with in
the Washington Lyons Disinfector, while for rooms either formalin or sulphur was
generally employed.