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ill, but unfortunately one died. The attack of diphtheria in many was so slight that the parents
did not even think that the children were ailing. If these infective children had been allowed to
remain in school, it is possible that the epidemic might have developed into a serious one giving
rise to many severe cases with a number of fatal results. Although these investigations cause a good
deal of interference with school routine, there is no doubt that they well repay the labour undertaken.
Under the Anti-toxin Order, 1910, the Council are empowered to supply diphtheria antitoxin
for administration to patients who are too poor to pay, and on signing the necessary
declaration that the patient cannot afford specific treatment, a medical man can obtain a free
supply from Mr. Worsley, Chemist, at No. 135, Ladbroke Grove, W.ll, or from the Public Health
Department at the Town Hall. The anti-toxin is obtainable at all hours of the day and night
from Mr. Worsley's premises, and during office hours from the Town Hall. When the Town Hall
is closed, applications for anti-toxin can be made to Mr. Sutton, an Officer of the Department,
who lives at No. 1, Hornton Place, Hornton Street (only a few yards from the Town Hall).
The Council loan syringes with portable sterilizers to doctors for the purpose of administering
the anti-toxin. Medical men administering the Council's anti-toxin to poor persons are, on application
to the Medical Officer of Health, paid a fee of 5s. per patient treated.
In 1927, the Borough Council supplied 197,500 units of anti-toxin for 36 patients at a cost of
£16 5s. 4d.
Home disinfection and school exclusion are carried out as in cases of scarlet fever.
Enteric Fever.— Ten cases of this disease were notified, 5 being removed to hospital and 2
to nursing homes. The cases notified in the three preceding years were 29, 29 and 30. There were
no deaths from this cause against 3, 3 and 2 in the preceding years.
Eight of the cases were notified from the southern division of the Borough and 2 came from
North Kensington. This heavier incidence in South Kensington is not usual with other infectious
diseases, and it is probably accounted for by the fact that a large number of persons contracting
typhoid fever are infected outside the Metropolis. It will be admitted that the residents in the
southern portion of the Borough leave the London area more frequently than those in the north
and, consequently, are more exposed to infection by reason of the fact that many outside London
districts have not the very good water supply and sanitary arrangements which are enjoyed by
residents in London generally.
Six of the cases were notified as paratyphoid fever.
Erysipelas.— Fifty-nine cases were notified during the year, 20 of which were removed to
hospital. There were 4 deaths from this cause, the deaths in the three preceding years being 1,
5 and 5.