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41
Diphtheria.—For many years the incidence of cases of
diphtheria in the Borough has been remarkably low and, as will be
seen in the table on page 38, there has been only once in eleven years
as many as 100 cases in the year. During 1934, however, a decided
increase was experienced and as many as 195 cases were notified.
Despite the higher number of cases the incidence of the disease in
Ealing, expressed as a case-rate of 1.46 per thousand of population, is
still less than the average, the case-rate for the whole of England
and Wales being 1.70 per thousand of population.
The distribution of the cases among the various age-groups
and the numbers occurring in each Ward are indicated on page 39.
It will be seen that as many as 50 cases occurred in the Manor
Ward and 31 in the Grange Ward. June and July were the months
in which the disease was most prevalent, the monthly numbers
throughout the year being:—
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
8 10 9 16 12 29 31 11 21 10 19 19
The increased prevalence of the disease necessitated
visits to a number of the schools in which the occurrence of several
cases suggested the possibility of a "missed" case or a "carrier"
being present and spreading infection among the other scholars.
The accommodation at the Isolation Hospital was on several
occasions taxed beyond its capacity and as many as 22 cases had
to be removed to either the Acton or the Willesden Isolation
Hospitals.
During the year eight deaths occurred, which is equivalent
to a death-rate of 0.06 per thousand of population and a mortalityrate
of 4.10 per cent. of cases notified. The death-rate for Ealing
is well below the death-rate of 0.10 per thousand of population
recorded for the whole of the country, while the percentage of
cases ending fatally is less than is usually experienced.
Every effort is made to make medical practitioners appreciate
the advisability of the early administration of anti-toxin to all
patients who are suspected by them to be suffering from diphtheria.
Supplies of anti-toxin are available at the Town Hall and the