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28
Diphtheria.
258 cases of this disease were notified during the year, with
16 deaths.
72 cases were notified in 1912, with 9 deaths.
The large number of cases occurred as shown in the report
printed on the next page, as presented to the Council on 17th
November at the request of the Local Government Board. It is
interesting to note that the fatality-rate was low. This was owing
to early diagnosis on account of the practitioners of the Borough
being given free bacteriological examination of all " swabs " from
suspected throats, and the early use of Anti-toxin.
There is no doubt that a perfectly healthy person may be a
" carrier " of the Diphtheria bacillus. This I discovered by
visiting three of the schools from which cases were notified, and
taking " swabs " from the remainder of the children of a class.
I found quite a number of children who apparently were not ill
but had evidently been infected by the Diphtheria bacillus.
Children who were suffering from Adenoids or Nasal Catarrh
appeared more susceptible as " carriers " of the disease.
Of the 258 cases notified, 172 were school children, thus
showing it was a school infection. All the children who were
discovered to be harbouring the Diphtheria bacillus were removed
to the Isolation Hospital until bacteriological examination proved
them free.
This shows the good work done in the Bacteriological
Laboratory.
I would also point out the danger of the common drinking
cup in the schools from a carrier of Diphtheria, and would advise
spray jets to be provided instead.