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49. A table giving details as to cases notified, cases
bacteriologically examined, and deaths, was published in the
Annual Report for 1912. The large number of cases with
Klebs Loffler bacillus but no symptoms during that year was
noteworthy. Since that time the number of purely bacteriological
cases has been much lower, and the fatality of notified
cases higher.
50. Mistaken Diagnosis. 65 cases, or 16 per Cent. of
notifications were, after removal to hospital, stated to be not
diphtheria. The percentage of the four preceding years was
10, 15, 11, and 19, respectively.
51. Source of Infection. In 68 cases a probable source
of infection was noted. viz.: In 31, other inmates of the
house were known or suspected to be the source; in 11,
schools; 11, neighbours and friends; 6, return cases; and in
9 the infection was due to the Fever or other Hospitals.
In one of the returned cases there was otorrhoea on discharge,
and in one a bacteriological examination showed the
presence of diphtheria bacilli. Two of the returned cases
returned after scarlet fever.
52. Bacteriological Diagnosis. Since January, 1913, the
Council's bacteriological work has been done by the Bacteriological
Department of the Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich. 915
(921 in 1913) swabs were examined for the presence of diphtheria
bacilli. In 95 (85 in 1913) the true Klebs Loffler
bacillus was found; in 47 (67 in 1913) Hoffman's bacillus
was found, and 773 were found free from either the Klebs
Loffler bacillus or Hoffman's.