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46
it will be the wish of the Committee that in the first
instance the anti-toxin should be issued to all without
waiting to enquire whether the patient or his
friends are in a position to pay. It will be for
the Committee to decide what steps, if any, should
be taken to provide that patients who are in a
position to pay shall do so. There do not appear
to be any powers for enforcing payment.
The Local Government Board state that the arrangements
which may be made for the supply of antitoxin
should be brought to the knowledge of all
medical practitioners in the district, and that in any
circular letter which is sent to such practitioners
emphasis should be laid on the importance of
prompt treatment by anti-toxin and to the saving
of life which may thereby be effected.
I recommend that the Committee defer the question of
making any regulations on the subject, and that
meanwhile the local medical practitioners be informed
of the Order and asked what use they are
likely to make of anti-toxin when provided free
of charge."
The Public Health Committee decided to take no action.
Enteric fever.
55. There were 8 cases of Enteric Fever, not including
two cases of mistaken diagnosis notified as Enteric. The
case-rate was 0.06, compared with 0.16, 0.10, and 0.08,
in the three preceding years; this is for the third successive
year the lowest rate recorded in the Borough. For the ten
years 1892-1901, the rate never fell below 0.41. The