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The death-rate from diphtheria is low compared with that
for England and Wales and with that for London, which are
respectively 0.07 and 0.09 per 1,000 of population.
Facilities for the bacteriological diagnosis of diphtheria are
offered at the Public Health Laboratory which is situated at the
Town Hall and is readily accessible from the whole area. Medical
men are repeatedly advised not to wait for the bacteriological
results if diphtheria is suspected but to give the specific anti-toxin
treatment at once. In order to facilitate the early administration
of anti-toxin, and thus reduce the mortality from the disease,
anti-toxin is provided free for administration to the children of
parents who are not in good financial circumstances. Doctors
may obtain the anti-toxin either at the Town Hall, Ealing, or at
Cherington House, Hanwell, at any time of the day or night. During
the year 146,000 units of anti-toxin were issued to doctors for use
in this way.
Scarlet Fever.—There were 136 cases of scarlet fever notified
during the year. This is the fifth successive year in which the
district has been free from an outbreak of epidemic proportions,
the last epidemic having been experienced in the years 1921,
when there were 665 cases, and 1922, when there were 487 cases.
In Table VI it will be seen that the highest number of cases
occurred in June, July and October, the smallest number in January,
February and March. Little association could be discerned
between many of the cases which were widely scattered throughout
the Borough.
The disease was very mild in character and there were no
deaths. This is the second year in succession in which there have
been no deaths from scarlet fever. It is worth noting for comparison
that the death-rate from scarlet fever for England and Wales
was 0.01 per 1,000 of population.
Enteric or Typhoid Fever.—During 1927 there were 14
cases notified under this heading. This is the highest number
since the year 1903 and included 12 cases of Paratyphoid B, one
of Paratyphoid A, and one of Typhoid fever. The cases of paratyphoid
were distributed throughout the year, two cases occurring
n May and three in June, the other seven occurring in different