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18
three months; so that it would be well that all anti-toxin should
be returned after it has been in stock for a period of three
months.
"If, however, the anti-toxin is kept from the light and in a
moderately cool place, it should be within 10 per cent. of its
original strength at the end of this time."
Conditions under which Anti-toxic Serum can be
supplied gratis to medical men.
The Clerk of the Metropolitan Asylums Board wrote
stating—
"It having been found impossible to receive immediately into
any of the Fever Hospitals under the control of this Board the
case of diphtheria for whose removal application has been made,
I forward herewith a "Warrant for the delivery to the Medical
Practitioner attending the case, upon application (not by post) to
the Medical Superintendent of any of the Institutions named on
the back thereof, of one bottle of anti-toxic serum for use in the
treatment of the patient.
"Before the anti-toxic serum can be obtained, it will be
necessary for the certificate at the foot of the Warrant to be
signed.
"If a further supply of serum be required, application must be
made for another Warrant."
Enteric or Typhoid Fever.
During the year 29 cases of this disease were notified, compared
with 33 last year. Of these nine occurred in St.
Margaret's parish, and 20 in St. John's. Five deaths occurred,
compared with ten last year.
I think every sanitary authority has taken to heart the
lessons which have been taught during the year by the
epidemics of this disease at Maidstone, Lynn, Clifton and
Camborne.
"Whether enteric fever is solely a water-borne disease or
not it seems pretty certain that sewer air will act as a predisposing
agent even if it is not proved to be in many cases
the cause of the disease. In the Maidstone epidemic various
opinions are given—one authority maintaining that the cause
of the outbreak was a polluted water supply, another that it
was caused. by the bad drainage of the houses in the town.
Dr. Washbourn, who made a bacteriological examination of
the Maidstone water supply, says in his report:—"The difficulties
of discovering the typhoid bacillus in drinking water