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66
Medical Officers of Health Annual Report.
The method of disinfection followed in this district
was the same as in former years. The bedding and all
soft goods exposed to infection are subjected to the action
of super-heated steam. At the same time the wallpaper
is stripped off and the flooring is scrubbed with soap and
carbolic acid solution after sulphur fumigation of the
infected room. Other methods of disinfection are now
frequently adopted such as formalin evaporation, or the
perchloride of mercury spray. It is agreed that they have
a greater germicidal power than the sulphur in fumigation.
The results of our method of disinfection, however, could
I think scarcely be surpassed in practical results.
There were 133 rooms disinfected after infectious
disease during the year, and there was a recurrence of
disease in not a single instance after disinfection had been
carried out.
I am glad to say we have had no return cases of
Scarlet Fever from hospital during 1897. The average
period of retention in hospital in London is considerably
longer than is thought necessary in the provinces. In
spite of this I freely admit that return cases will sometimes
occur although every possible care has been exercised by
the medical officers in charge. It appears to me that
infection in these cases is most frequently communicated
through the throat, nose, or ear discharges. It is manifest
that as these discharges may continue for months after the
patients are convalescent, it is impossible to retain them in
hospital all that period. Instructions should be given,
and no doubt are given already on their departure from
hospital to continue the local treatment, in their own
houses. The difficulty, however, is that although instructions
may be given it is absolutely certain that in nine
cases out of ten they will not be carried out.
Sanitary
Work.
A Table is given as usual of the various
sanitary operations carried out during the