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15
INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND THE MEANS
TAKEN TO PREVENT THEIR SPREAD.
It will be seen from Table IV. that 122 cases of infectious
disease were notified during the year, as against 142 in the preceding
year, 136 in 1903, and 110 in 1902. Of these 69 were
Scarlet Fever, 23 Diphtheria, 4 Typhoid Fever, 1 Puerperal
Fever, and 25 Erysipelas.
These were notified from the different localities as follows :—
28 from Southgate, 38 from New Southgate, 10 from Winchmore
Hill, and 46 from Palmers Green and Bowes Park.
These 122 cases represent infection in 107 houses, all of
which were subsequently disinfected by the Sanitary Authority.
In all cases disinfectants were supplied, instructions given as to
the carrying out of isolation as efficiently as possible in cases of
non-removal to the hospital, and the sanitary condition of the
premises inspected.
In 6 houses sanitary defects were found, consisting chiefly of
defective water-closets and unpaved yards. These defects have
all been remedied under the supervision of the Sanitary Authority.
The notification of these diseases was, therefore, the means
of causing the inspection, apart from ordinary inspections, of 107
premises, and remedy of insanitary condition in 6.
Sixty-six cases were removed to the Isolation Hospital at
Palmers Green. Of these, 60 were Scarlet Fever, 3 Diphtheria,
and 3 Typhoid Fever.
The Infectious Sickness Rate of the District was
5 4 per 1,000 of the population as against 7.5 in the preceding
year, 8 0 in 1903, and 6.9 in 1902.
The rates for the separate localities were as follows : Southgate,
5.4 ; New Southgate, 8.4 ; Winchmore Hill, 2.0 ; and Palmers
Green and Bowes, 5.8.
Methods of Disinfection.—(1) For disinfection of
rooms, Formalin is used (a) by spraying and (b) with " Paraform"
tablets in the " Alformant " lamp.
(2) Bedding, &c., is disinfected in the steam disinfecting
apparatus established on the premises of the Isolation Hospital.
For taking the bedding, &c., to and fro two special vans are kept,
one for the infected and the other for the disinfected articles.
(3) After rooms have been disinfected the wall papers are
stripped from the walls and burnt, and ceilings, walls, and all
surfaces are thoroughly washed.