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deaths in 1897. The cases were distributed as follows:—
Lewisham, 203; Sydenham, 53; Penge, 25; Blackheath, 3;
Park Hospital (nurses or wardmaids), 12; All Saints' Orphanage,
1; North Surrey District Schools, 4; Lewisham
Infirmary, 12.
122 of these cases were removed to hospital, as against
58 cases removed in the previous year.
It will be seen from these figures that, although there
were 73 more cases notified than in the previous year, there
were 14 fewer deaths, and also that the number of cases
removed to hospital was more than double the number so
removed in the previous year. Parents are gradually beginning
to see the advantage of having their children nursed
in hospital in serious cases of diphtheria, and comparatively
seldom object to their removal. Medical men also are now
in a better position as regards the early use of antitoxin.
It can be obtained at once at the Offices of the Board. I
feel sure that the early use of antitoxin, and the removal of
patients to hospital, explains the much-lessened mortality
from this disease during the last year.
Typhoid Fever.
There were 51 notifications of this disease, with G
deaths, as compared with 62 notifications and 10 deaths, in
1897. The cases were distributed as follows:—
Lewisham 21 notifications.
Sydenham 20 „
Penge 7 „
Blackheath 1 „
Park Hospital 1 „
St. John's Hospital 1 „
Eleven of these cases were removed to hospital.
Small Pox.
There was one notification of this disease and one death