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38
Diphtheria.
There was a marked increase in the incidence in diphtheria
in 1934, as compared with the previous year, during which the
prevalence in this disease in the area was extremely low. The
number of notifications received was 337; this gives a rate of 3.4
per thousand of estimated population; all but 42 of these cases
occurred in persons under the age of 15 years. There were no
return cases, but 37 secondary cases occurred.
One case was notified as nasal diphtheria wherein an evident
error of diagnosis occurred as 3 other members of the family
subsequently contracted scarlet fever.
There was no difficulty with regard to the removal of patients
to hospital as when accommodation was not available at Rush
Green, it was possible to arrange alternative accommodation at
the London Fever Hospital or elsewhere.
Death Rate.
There were 34 deaths registered as due to diphtheria, giving
a case mortality of 10.08 per cent., which is almost the same as the
case mortality for the previous year.
Bacteriological Examination.
591 diphtheria swabs were examined during the year at the
Counties Public Health Laboratories, and 683 at the Public
Health Offices.
Schools and Diphtheria.
The following table has been prepared, showing age groups of
children affected and the schools attended by them. It will be
noted that there is no marked incidence in any particular school
Fanshawe Crescent Infants and South Wood Lane Infants show
the largest total numbers, otherwise the occurrence of diphtheria
appears to have been fairly uniform. The age group chiefly
concerned is that of the five year olds, but the incidence of the
children of 5, 6 and 7 years is fairly uniform. 198 schoolchildren
were infected.