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63. 134 Cases, or 82 per cent, were removed to hospital.
The case mortality (deaths per 100 cases) was 17 8, compared
with 8.8, 9 9, and 7 0 in the three preceding years, and with
10-6 in London.
This is the highest case mortality since treatment with antitoxin
became general. 21 of the deaths occurred in the Fever
and Metropolitan Hospitals, one in the Poor Law Homes,
Goldie Leigh, and seven at home.
64. Now that there is an almost certain means of diagnosing
diphtheria at its very outset, and a remedy which rarely
fails if administered at the beginning, there should be few, if
any, deaths, from this disease.
What is needed is the more prompt application for medical
attendance on the part of parents and friends, and more
speedy use of the means of diagnosis and treatment on the
part of some medical practitioners. Neglect of procuring early
medical attendance led, in one family, to four cases being
infected, and two dying.
65. Ward distribution.—The largest number of cases, proportionally
to population, occurred in St. Margaret's and
Central Wards, and the smallest number in Eltham.
66. School attendance.—14 cases attended Ancona Road
School, 9 Mulgrave Place, and 8 the Central Schools. (See
Table VI.)
67. Bacteriological diagnosis.— Swabs from the throat or
nose of 73 persons suspected to have Diphtheria were examined
bacteriologically by the Lister Institute. The result was
positive in twelve cases, negative in 61, and pseudo-diphtheria