View report page

11
mention that during the year 23 tubes were sent up to the
Clinical Research Association for examination and report. Of
these 14 were found to contain the Klebs-Loffler bacillus, the
pathognomonic organism of Diphtheria, 5 were found to
contain Hoffmann's Pseudo Diphtheria bacillus, and in 4 cases
the specific organisms were absent.
In cases when the specific organisms were found,
notification of Diphtheria was given, but the others were
excluded. In several cases, owing no doubt to the clinical
symptoms being considered unmistakable, the bacteriological
test was not applied, and in some others it was obtained
through private agency : of these I have no record, but it
would appear that many cases which would otherwise have
been notified, have been excluded, and as such cases take a
much more favourable course, they would have helped to
make the mortality still lower. With the increasing prevalence
of Diphtheria, no proof has been brought forward that the type
of disease has altered to any considerable extent, but that the
more extended use in treatment of the Antidiphtheritic serum
during the last four years, may justly be claimed as the cause
of the largely diminished mortality can hardly admit of doubt.
ENTERIC FEVER.
17 cases of this disease were notified, the largest number
in any year since notification became compulsory, with the
exception of 1894, when 20 cases were reported. There were
2 deaths—an average mortality.
At least four of these were contracted out of our district.
In four others the drainage of the houses was found to be