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6
Atkinson Morley's Hospital, to which institution they had
been sent from St. George's Hospital, London. The cases and
deaths were divided among the age periods as follows: 0—5
years, eight cases and one death; 5—15 years, twenty-six
cases and four deaths; 15—25 years, two cases and no deaths;
25—35 years, two cases and no deaths; 35—45 years, two
cases and no deaths; 45—55 years, one fatal case. The
increase of Diphtheria in its prevalence and fatality is a
matter of serious importance, and there is little satisfaction
felt in the fact that the increase is not confined to Wimbledon,
but is also the case in London and the suburbs generally.
Doubtless a large number of cases of a mild type occur
without characteristic signs, and are not recognized. These
may carry infection. A Bacteriological examination is
necessary in many cases to determine a diagnosis, and the
Council at my suggestion have become subscribers to the
Clinical Research Association, who supply tubes for procuring
samples of diphtheria membrane for analysis. The medical
men in the district have been informed that the tubes can be
had at the Council offices, and an examination made free of
cost, so that if any suspicious cases come under their notice
they may have an examination made. Few of the medical
men have availed themselves of this privilege so far.
Of the forty-one cases notified twenty-one attended
schools, viz.: two the High School; six Holy Trinity Schools;
six Haydon's Road Schools; four the Central Schools; three
private schools.
At only five of the thirty-six houses in which Diphtheria occurred
were the drains and sanitary arrangements found to be in
a bad condition, and at three of these houses the cases were fatal.
It is a difficult matter to combat this dangerous disease,
as so little is apparently known of its origin. Sewer gas,
bad drains, and wet sites are no doubt predisposing causes;
and school attendance may be responsible for its spread, but
this is not so in Wimbledon, and as far as I can discover there
is no factor common to the cases.