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36
The most careful enquiry on the part of the Army Medical
Staff and myself failed to discover the source of infection. A
sixth case occurred on the 22nd September, which was probably
a return case, several of the five officers having been meanwhile
discharged, and visited the Mess before going on leave.
59. In 35 cases, the infection was attributed to brothers or
sisters previously affected and isolated; the diagnosis and
isolation were, however, too late to prevent other members of
the family being infected. In 5 cases the source was traced to
friends or neighbours. 4 were put down to school sports or
treats, one to failure of home isolation, and one was a tram
conductor.
Diphtheria.
60. 163 cases of diphtheria were notified compared with
216, 233, and 186 in the preceding years. The case rate
(number of cases per 1,000 population) was 1-30, the lowest
recorded since 1891.
61. There were 29 deaths compared with 23 and 13 in the
two preceding years. The death rate was 0.23, which is higher
than in the three preceding years, but lower than in any of the
nine years 1892—1900. (See Table V.). The London death
rate was 0-16.
62. Fifty-one cases were in Woolwich parish, 107 in
Plumstead, and 5 in Eltham.