View report page

15
DIPHTHERIA.
During the year, 32 persons died of Diphtheria, viz., C in the
June quarter, 6 September, 8 December, and 11 March, the number
of deaths in the preceding year being 43.
The districts which allowed an increase were Lambeth Church
1st part (all 4 cases occurring in St. Thomas's Hospital, one of
them being a stranger); Kennington 2nd part and Norwood.
The mast marked decrease was in Kennington, 1st part, where 6
oases occurred compared with 20 last year.
The following cases may be enumerated as important examples.
Two deaths occurred from Diphtheria in a house where a
stoppage of a drain took place close to the back door. The drain
had been opened and left exposed by the workmen for several days.
The servant and nearly all the members of the family suffered
from sore throat, and the two youngest children died from
Diphtheria at short intervals. Tho house in which the above cases
occurred was semi-detached, the two houses being drained together.
Two deaths from diphtheria occurred at intervals of three
months in a highly respectable family at Brixton. The house was
dry, well built, and tho drainage good. There was separate
water supply down stairs for domestic use. On the top
landing, level with the nursery, was a water closet in
which bad smells had been frequently perceived. In a cupboard
on the same landing, closely adjacent to the w.c., and
within reach, was the cistern supplying the closet, and this being
provided with a tap, the children helped themselves to water.
Tho water contained in the w.c. cistern was examined, and
found to be contaminated with sewer gas. After the first attack
of Diphtheria all the cisterns were thoroughly cleansed, and this
may account for the long interval taking place between the first