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70
Duration of Stay in Hospital.
(1) Scarlet Fever.
The average length of detention of scarlet fever patients show a small decrease this year as
compared with last year. The minimum period of stay in Hospital is 28 days from the onset of the
disease, and 317 patients out of a total of 454 were discharged between the 28th and the 35th day.
Average stay in hospital of scarlet fever patients 1926-1929:—
1926—47.2 1928—37.0
1927—38.1 1929—36.1
(2) Diphtheria.
Although the average length of detention in hospital of scarlet fever patients shows a gradual
decrease, the similar figure for diphtheria patients remains about the same, and owing to the more
serious nature and late occurrence of complications in diphtheria it is not practicable to reduce it.
Average stay in hospital of diphtheria patients, 1926-1929:—
1926—54.1 1928—52.8
1927—47.3 1929—51.7
(3) Other Diseases.
1926—29.0 1928—28.1
1927—32.3 1929—23.4

It will be noted that the health of the nursing staff shows an inprovement as compared with
previous years as shown by the decreased number of nurses who were off duty. The number of
days off duty however shows an increase and this is accounted for by the fact that two nurses had a
rather severe attack of scarlet fever with complications and were off duty for a period of 104 and 49
days respectively.
Three nurses contracted scarlet fever and one diphtheria—all recovered.

Three maids contracted rubella.
Willesden Smallpox Hospital.
From the 1st of April, 1928, until the 30th September, 1929, cases of smallpox from the Metropolitan
area have been admitted to the Willesden Smallpox Hospital under an arrangement with the
Metropolitan Asylums Board. During 1929 a certain number of cases were also admitted from the
Willesden Urban District. All these cases have been of the mild or sub-toxic type, similar to the type
which has been occurring in the provinces for the last eleven years.