View report page

1920
36
in the same household, as well as multiple cases in institutions,
have been observed in this country and elsewhere. It may also
be noted as interesting that although the street in which these
two cases in 1919 and 1920 occurred is a small one, a fatal case
occurred in the same street in 1918.
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
Two cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis were notified, and
both were fatal. In one case, though, on the death certificate it
was stated that the death was due to tubercular meningitis.
Ophthalmia Neonatorium.
Fifteen cases of ophthalmia neonatorium were notified.
In every instance the recovery was complete and no loss of sight
resulted. In four of the cases an unqualified midwife was present
at the birth.
Diphtheria.
There is a great increase in the incidence of diphtheria,
both in the number of cases and in the number of deaths.
141 cases were notified and 18 deaths occurred, compared
with 54 notifications and 2 deaths in 1919.
The Ward distribution of the disease is given on Table 9
but of more importance is the School distribution. The influence
of school attendance upon the incidence of diphtheria has given
rise to many discussions, and the subject is still a debatable one.
The subject has too many ramifications for discussion in this
Report, but the spread in schools is probably intimately connected
with the carrier and undetected case.
It was only in Southfield Road Infants' Department that
systematical swabbing of the throat was undertaken, and a part of
the Department was closed on two occasions in the Autumn.