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Diphtheria (Including Membranous Croup).
40. There were 216 cases of Diphtheria compared with 365
in 1900 ; 65 were in Woolwich Parish, 131 in Plumstead, and
17 in Eltham. The case rate (i.e. the number of cases per
1000 population) was 1.8, which is the lowest since 1894. The
Plumstead case rate, 19, is the lowest since 1891, with one
exception, viz., in 1898. In 1900, the case rate in Plumstead
was higher than it had been recorded before.
41. There were only 19 deaths, giving a death rate per 1,000
population of 0.16, which is the lowest rate since 1891. The
case mortality (deaths per 100 cases) was 8.7 in the Borough,
3 0 in Woolwich, 12.6 in Plumstead, and 0.0 in Eltham.
158 of the 216 cases, or about three-fourths, were moved to
one of the Fever Hospitals.
The case mortality was 9.5 for Hospital treated cases, and
3.6 for cases treated at home.
42. School Attendance.—Elizabeth Street, Conway Road and
Vicarage Road were the schools most affected, being attended
by 9, 9 and 14 respectively (see Table VI.).
43. Bacteriological Diagnosis.—Secretion from 26 cases of
suspected Diphtheria were examined bacteriologically by the
Jenner Institute. The existence of the Diphtheria bacillus
was proved in six cases, and in one case the pseudo-diphtheria
bacillus was found. In the two preceding years 15 and 19
cases were examined bacteriologically in Plumstead alone.
Nineteen cases or 12 per cent. were reported not to be
Diphtheria after removal to hospital. In none of these had a
bacteriological examination been made on behalf of the
Borough Council.
One case had returned from hospital only three days previously
after Scarlet Fever.