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46
In the school previously referred to, the grouping of cases was
1, 1, in consecutive weeks. An infants' department had the
following eases, 1, 0, 5, which were probably associated, and some
months later 2, 1, 3. Apart from one other instance of three cases
in one department in one week, there were no groupings to suggest
that there was an infccting case in the school.
Actually it seems that the schools play a very small part in
the spread of diphtheria.
Scarlet Fever.
513 cases is at the rate of 5.67 per thousand population or
12.00 per thousand of population under 15. This latter compares
with a rate of 11.52 for the corresponding age group population of
England and Wales, being a comparative incidencc rate of 1.09.
In the Estate population of these ages, the comparative
incidcnce of infection was 1.11.
Infection was heaviest in the first three months of the year
with a weekly average of 13. This fell to two in June but rose
sharply in July to 12 with a total of 45 cases in that month. Falling
in August to 33 cases for five weeks and September 26 cases in four
weeks, the incidencc rose to a weekly average of 12 in October,
falling for the rest of the year to 11. Other districts showed this
heavier incidence in July but not to the same extent.
Shortage of accommodation at the Isolation Hospital was again
felt. hi the first three months, 113 cases were treated entirely at
home, 20 admitted to hospital and a further 11, who commenced
home treatment, were subsequently admitted. Out of the 72
cases in the next three months, 45 commenced home treatment
of whom three were later admitted and 18 others were removed
immediately. In July eight out of 32 who began home treatment
were subsequently admitted and 11 others removed. From
August to the end of the year more cases were admitted each month
than were treated at home, namely, 106 admitted, 79 home treated
and a further two admitted after a period of home treatment.
During the year the total number of eases treated at home were
221, treated at Rush Green Isolation Hospital 114, and at other
Fever Hospitals 50.
Those cases removed to Rush Green Isolation Hospital were
admitted on the following grounds:—