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35
The 670 cases of diphtheria occurred in 554 infected houses,
659 cases (i.e. 98.4 per cent.) were removed to hospital.
The incidence of the disease was highest in Latchmere, Shaftesbury
and Park Wards, these 3 Wards contributing 45 per cent.
of the total cases notified.
Facilities for the free bacteriological examination of swabs
are available, and anti-toxin is supplied, at any hour of the day
or night, free by the Council for use by medical practitioners
practising in Battersea.
Enteric Fever.
During 1922, 9 cases of enteric fever were notified in Battersea.
Of these, 5 cases were cancelled, the diagnosis not being confirmed
by the hospital authorities. There was one death recorded from
enteric fever.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever (Posterior Basic Meningitis).
During 1922, one case of cerebro-spinal fever (posterior basic
meningitis) was notified in Battersea.
Encephalitis Lethargica.
Two cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified in Battersea
during 1922, as compared with 12 cases in 1921. Both cases were
removed to hospital where one subsequently died.
Puerperal Fever.
Thirteen cases of puerperal fever were notified in Battersea
during 1922, as compared with 15 cases in 1921. There were 3
deaths from the disease, giving a case-mortality of 23.1 per cent.
The number of cases per 1,000 births was 3.55 as compared with
4.01 in 1921. The fatality-rate per 1,000 births was 0.8 in 1922,
as compared with 11 in 1921, 1.5 in 1920, and 1.3 in 1919. The
death-rate per 1,000 population was 0.018. The deaths from
puerperal fever were distributed as follows:—East Battersea, nil.;
North West Battersea, 2; South West Battersea, 1; the number
of cases notified in each of the sub-districts being 2, 6, and 5 respectively.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were 41 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum notified in
Battersea during the year 1922, as compared with 61 in 1921,
105 in 1920, and 78 in 1919. The rate per 1,000 births was 11.2,
as compared with 16.3 and 22.5 in 1921 and 1920 respectively.