View report page

28
where several cases of Diphtheria had recently
occurred.
I accordingly suspected an undetected case in
the house, and, on visiting, discovered that Y. B.,
age 6, attending the school referred to, had bad cold,
slight sore throat, earache, and was feverish on the
15th November, and had been kept at home since.
I found that he had a slight mucous discharge from
both nostrils, which under ordinary circumstances
should not have regarded as more than a common
catarrh. I took, however, a swab, and Diphtheria
bacilli were found to be present.
43. The following report on the prevalence of Diphtheria
was presented to you on the 3rd December:—
"Facts coming to my knowledge within the last few
months have impressed me with the wide-spread
prevalence of the Diphtheria bacilli, causing, however,
in most cases, very mild symtoms, and in some, no
symptoms at all. Certain unknown conditions
(meteorological or otherwise) appear to have given the
germs increased virulence, and hence the present
outbreak. This has, however, been specially connected
with Ancona Eoad School. Immediately I
observed that the School was implicated (21st Nov.),
I wrote to the Medical Officer of the London School
Board, calling his attention to the fact, and recommending
that the children should be examined for
the detection of mild and unsuspected cases of
Diphtheria. Dr. Thomas, Assistant Medical Officer
of the London School Board, came down on the 25th
November and examined most of the children in the
infant department. He picked out 16 cases for
bacteriological examination, one of which had obvious