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12
ISOLATION OF INFECTIOUS CASES.
The notifiable infectious diseases, cases of which are admissible to the
hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, are small-pox, scarlet fever,
diphtheria, enteric fever, continued fever, typhus fever, puerperal fever, cerebrospinal
fever and acute anterior poliomyelitis. The number of cases of these
diseases certified (Table II., Appendix) was 897, the number removed to hospital
(mainly to the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board) was 876, which
gives a percentage of 98.7, the highest so far recorded.
In October an intimation was received from the Metropolitan Asylums Board
to the effect that the accommodation provided by the Board, being considerably
curtailed during the year by certain of the hospitals being handed over to the
military authorities, was becoming exhausted and that there might be some delay
as regards the removal of cases. As it turned out there was in some cases a little
delay, but it was only experienced for a few weeks.
RETURN CASES.
The following instances were noted during the year :—(1) Arthur H. S ,
aged 7, was certified to have scarlet fever on October 18th and removed to hospital
on October 20th, 1914, returning home on December 9th ; on December 28th
Edmund S , aged 2 8/12 years was certified to have scarlet fever and removed to
hospital the following day. Nothing was noticeable as regards the convalescent
Arthur. The mother attributed the recurrence of the disease to an album, which
had been put away and overlooked at the disinfection and produced again when he
returned.
(2) Emily L , aged 2, was certified to have scarlet fever and removed to
hospital on June 28th. She returned home on August 26th. Elizabeth L ,
aged 6, fell ill on August 28th, sore throat was noticed on 29th and the rash the
following day when she was certified to have scarlet fever and removed to
hospital. The mother asserted that Emily's skin was rough and that there was
some spots about her on her return.
(3) Thomas L , aged 4, was removed to hospital on June 20th, certified to
have scarlet fever and returned home on August 13th. He appeared in good
health and nothing about the child attracted the mother's attention. Daniel L ,
aged 6, was taken ill on September 6th the rash being observed the same day.
He was certified to have scarlet fever and removed to hospital on September 7th.
It is to be noted that Daniel was away at Mitcham from August 27th to
September 3rd.
(4) Florence G , aged 8, was certified on June 26th to have scarlet fever and
removed to hospital the following day. She returned home on September 17th,
Herbert G , aged 14, was taken ill on September 30th and the rash was