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27
Diphtheria.
During the year there were 42 cases of this disease, and
one of Croup, notified, as compared with 39 for the
previous year. The annual average for the ten years ending
December 31st, 1902 was 23. The disease was prevalent throughout
the whole year, and existed in every ward, the greatest number
of cases occurring in the East Ward, where there were 17 cases
notified. The highest monthly notifications were in June and
September, 5 and 9 respectively.
There was no epidemic in connection with any of the schools.
Nine deaths occurred, being a case mortality of 21 per cent.
Twenty-six of the patients were removed to Mogden Hospital, being
62 per cent of the cases notified.
As a difficulty has been experienced in readily obtaining antitoxin
in the Borough, particularly at night, or on other occasions
when the Town Hall has been closed, arrangements have been
made with the Committee of the Royal Hospital for the storing of
serum at the Royal Hospital, Kew Foot Road. This concession
has been much appreciated by the Medical practitioners in the
Borough. The following is a copy of a circular letter sent to every
Medical practitioner practising within the Borough :—
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Richmond, Surrey,
August 15th, 1903.
Dear Sir,
The Committee of the Richmond Royal Hospital, Kew Foot Road
have kindly consented, at the request of the Health Committee of this
Borough, to allow a small quantity of anti-diphtheritic serum to be stored
at the Royal Hospital for the convenience of the Medical Practitioners of
the Borough, and they have arranged that upon the written or personal
application of any Medical Practitioner in the Borough, such serum as
required shall be supplied at any hour, day or night,
The stock will be renewed from time to time.