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From the above table it will be seen that only during
part of March and April was the minimum number of cases
in Hospital less than 10, and that throughout the year the
average number was somewhat high, whilst at times the
Hospital was filled to its utmost capacity. The average was,
it is true, raised by the exceptional number of cases of
Typhoid Fever in Hospital during September, October, and
November, due to the outbreak of Typhoid Fever in New
Southgate; but apart from this there was still a relatively
high average number of cases in Hospital as compared with
previous years. This is not to be accounted for by the prevalence,
above the average, of any particular infectious
disease, but is due to an absolute average increase of cases
of infectious disease in the district, on account of the constantly
enlarging population which the Hospital has to serve.
Although there is now a building available adjoining the
Hospital site, which can be used as a temporary hospital at
any time as an emergency, to accommodate any unusual
number of infectious cases which might arise from some
exceptional outbreak of infectious disease, yet, for general
routine purposes, I am of opinion that, taking into consideration
the rapidity with which the population of the District is
increasing, it is very desirable that the Isolation Block should
be completed by the addition of the other half as soon as
possible. At the present time the two wards of this block
have to accommodate both Diphtheria and Typhoid Fever,
whereas for two separate diseases two wards each are
required, one for male and one for female cases.