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58. Out of 119 cases visited, disinfection was agreed to and
performed in 18. Out of 90 cases in which particulars were
obtained, 58 were males and 27 were Arsenal employees. In
1899 disinfection was performed in 11 cases.
59. Besides the 101 cases who died I received notification
of 31 cases from the Poor Law Medical Officers.
60. Notices were printed and distributed at Public Houses,
workshops, &c., warning persons against spitting on the floor.
But in the matter of systematically dealing with phthisis as
with other infectious diseases, as regards notification, bacteriological
diagnosis, thorough cleansing of infected rooms, &c.,
Plumstead and indeed the Metropolis, is far behind several
provincial towns, notably Manchester and Brighton.
Diarrhœa.
61. There were 36 cases of diarrhoea and 25 of enteritis,
which is the same thing practically under a different name,
and which in previous reports I have included with diarrhoea.
This is fewer than in the three previous summers but is yet
above the average.
The nomenclature of this disease has been in an unsatisfactory
condition, so that it has been impossible to compare its
prevalence in different towns. But last year as a result of the
action of the Society of Medical Officers of Health, the Royal
College of Physicians decided that medical men should be asked
to discontinue the use of the terms diarrhoea and gastro enteritis,
&c., and to use the name epidemic or zymotic enteritis. A copy
of this recommendation has been sent round to all the medical
practitioners in Plumstead. No cases were registered last year
under this title.