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The deaths from Scarlet Fever in 1909 were 4 as compared with 7
in the previous year. The number of cases and the number of deaths per
1000 of the population were 2.56 and 0.04 respectively, and the case
mortality, or percentage of deaths to cases was 1.6. The corresponding
figures in 1908 were 2.86, 0.07, and 2.6 respectively.
Of the cases notified, 211 or 87 per cent., were removed to hospital.
The corresponding percentage in 190ft was 85.
The high percentage of cases removed to hospital is a proof of the
popularity of the Asylums Board's hospitals, for in no case was it found
necessary to exercise compulsion, or even to bring much pressure to bear,
to secure removal. Hospital isolation, quite apart from its public health
aspect, is regarded by the public as affording a welcome escape for the
other members of the family from the numerous disadvantages they
would experience were the patient to remain at home.
As will be gathered from the case mortality, Scarlet Fever existed
during the year in a very mild form. Of the 241 patients notified only 4
died. This is, of course, a matter for congratulation on the whole, but it
has the drawback that the presence of a mild type of the disease tends to
bring about an increased prevalence, owing to the occurrence of unrecognised
or "missed" cases, which are not isolated and so spread infection.
During the year I received valuable information from school teachers of
children absent from school owing to conditions suggestive of Scarlet
Fever. Most of them I found on enquiry were suffering from nothing
more than trivial ailments, but in nine cases the suspicion of Scarlet Fever
was confirmed and the patients removed to hospital. In none of these