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42
certified by myself free from infection after bacteriological examination.)
Others were examined with the object of finding
possible sources of infection, e.g., where the first case notified in a
house was a child not attending school.
Of the 78 contacts, 44 had no noteworthy abnormal symptoms,
while 34 had symptoms, viz.: 2 had tonsillitis, 3 congestion or
exudation of fauces, 2 enlarged tonsils, and 27 some form of
rhinitis. Of the 78 contacts diphtheria bacilli was found in 14,
or 18 per cent. and Hoffman's bacillus in 30, or 38 per cent.
Both the true bacillus and Hoffman's were found about equally
in those who had symptoms and those found normal, indicating
that the symptoms were neither a result nor a cause of the
presence of the bacilli. Some exception to this rule must be
made where the nasal symptoms are something more than common
mucuous catarrh. Of 5 cases with mucosanguinolent discharge,
encrustation and soreness of the nostrils, 3 gave a positive result,
1 shewed Hoffman's, and 4 was negative.
The fact that both Klebs Loffler and Hoffman's bacillus were
found more frequently in contacts than in all cases with
symptoms of throat affection, seems to indicate some connection
between the two bacilli. If not modifications of the same
bacterium they seem both to flourish under the same conditions.
Enteric Fever.
62. There were 22 cases of Enteric Fever, not including
5 cases of mistaken diagnosis, notified as Enteric. The case rate
was 0.17 compared with 0.34 and 0.19 in the two preceding
years; and for the third year in succession the lowest rate
recorded in the Borough. For the ten years 1892—1901 the rate
never fell below 0.41. The case rate in London was 0.33. Only
Stoke Newington, the City and Battersea, had a lower rate, of the
Metropolitan Boroughs.
Out of 27 cases notified, 17 went to hospital.