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N.B.—These were not all from different cases ; but in many instances
chiefly of Diphtheria, were further specimens taken from the same cases at
intervals for re-examination to determine when the case in question ceased to
be infectious. In some cases this has to be repeated several times before a
negative result is reported.
Total.—52 bacteriological examinations, of which 19 gave positive and
33 negative results.
Diphtheria Antitoxin.—The supply of diphtheria
antitoxin provided by the Council and kept available for use at
any time at the Council Offices has been made full use of as
occasion required, to the great advantage of those suffering from
the disease and the public in general.
Handbills concerning Infectious Diseases.—
Handbills giving instructions as to the danger of, and precautions
to be taken to avoid spreading infection in, cases of Phthisis,
Measles, and Whooping Cough—not being notifiable diseases—
are always kept in readiness, and have been left at all houses
where it came to my knowledge that these diseases were present ;
and, in the case of the two latter, have also been distributed to all
other houses in the immediate neighbourhood. The necessary
knowledge as to where the two latter diseases are present is
supplied to me chiefly by the School Attendance Officers and the
School Authorities.
This system of notification of non-notifiable diseases by the
School Attendance Officers and the School Authorities, instituted
in 1898, continues to work satisfactorily.
SMALL-POX.
No cases were notified.
With regard to the provision of accommodation for the effective
isolation of cases of Small-pox reported on in my last Report,
the matter at the present time stands thus :—This District is one
of the constituent authorities, composed of a number of the
Urban and Rural Districts of Middlesex, included in the Provisional
Order for the formation of the " Middlesex District Joint
Small-pox Hospital," under Section 279, Public Health Act, 1875.