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The percentage of cases removed to Hospital in 1938 was 94.0
against 99.0 in 1937. No case was refused admission as home
treatment of Diphtheria can rarely be adequate unless the disease
is extremely mild.
Antitoxin continued to be available for free issue to medical
practitioners at the Public Health Department during office hours,
and at all times at the Fire Station, Forest Road, and at Mr. Gaze's,
10, The Avenue. Highams Park. During 1938, a total of 85 phials,
containing 564,000 units of Diphtheria antitoxin, and 11 phials,
containing 110 c.c's of Scarlet Fever Antitoxin, was issued.
Diphtheria notifications have again remained low. In view of
the comparatively small number of immunisations carried out in
the area, it would not be fair to claim more than a contributory
effect for this practice. At the same time, in the absence of
immunisation to the extent of some 50 per cent. of the population
under, say 15 years, the incidence of Diphtheria will almost
certainly show an increase in future years. At the end of 1938
a total of 5,681 persons were either protected or Schick negative
out of an estimated total of 30,790 under 15 years of age, i.e.,
18.4 per cent.
ENTERIC FEVER.
Four cases of enteric fever were notified. All were removed
to Hospital. Two were later withdrawn as diagnosis was not
confirmed.