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42
The fatality of Starlet Fever, taking the country as a
whole, is about 3 per cent. It is considerably less than it used
to be three or four decades ago, and even in recent years
epidemics have occurred where the fatality has been considerably
greater than 3 per cent. A glance at Table IX. will
show how it has varied in Finchley during the past 20 years.
In 1906 the fatality was approximately 4 per cent. and 1911
establishes a pleasing record of the other extreme.
The average fatality rate in Finchley during the last
20 years was 1.2 per cent.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified during 1911
was 57, as compared with 89 in 1910. The 57 cases represent
infection in 44 house®. Five deaths occurred, which is equal
to a case fatality of 8.7. This is by no means a high rate
for so treacherous a disease, and I am confident this is to a
large extent due to the promptness which the local medical
practitioners show in using the Antitoxin.
In the majority of the cases the diagnosis was verified by
bacteriological examination.
During the year the Education Committee, upon the
advice of the medical officer of health, made a rule that no
convalescent from Diphtheria should be permitted to return
to school until the throat had been proved by bacteriological
examination to be free from the germs of the disease. Such
examinations are made as a routine before a patient leaves
the Isolation Hospital, and where a case is isolated at home
the medical attendant invariably complies with the request
that a swab should be taken. Increasing use is being made of
the Council's Laboratory, and during the year 168 throat and
nose swabs were received for examination.