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41
Scarlet Fever.
Admissions:—
Number admitted with diagnosis of scarlet fever 339
Number suffering from scarlet fever 327
Number in whom diagnosis not confirmed 12
Of these 12 cases, 6 suffered from an erythema, 3 from food
or drug rashes, and 1 each from german measles, otitis media,
and an abscess of the arm.
Period of stay.—The average length of stay of all cases
discharged during the year was 40.8 days. The average stay of
scarlet fever cases was 41.2, the duration in uncomplicated cases
being 25.5 and of complicated cases 58.2. Non-scarlet fever
cases were detained on an average of 15.3 days.
Deaths.—Nil.
Complications.—85 cases (or 49.7 per cent.) suffered from some
complication, 25 of these having more than one complication
during the course of the illness. Adenitis occurred in 17.5 per
cent., otorrhœa in 16.1, rhinorrhœa in 15.5, abscess in 6.4,
albuminuria in 4.9, rheumatism in 1.8, secondary sore throat in
1.5, relapse in 2.9, erythema nodosum in 1.2, nephritis in 0.6, and
bronchitis in 0.3 per cent.
Operations.—The mastoid operation was performed on two
cases, one of whom had developed measles during the stay in
hospital. Cervical glands were incised in the case of two patients.
Cross Infection.—Six cases developed measles.
Double Infection.—Two cases were incubating measles on
admission.
Serum treatment.—Serum was given in 62 cases (20 c.c.s in
23 and 10 c.c.s in 39). Reactions followed in 24 cases, nine being
after 20 c.c.s and 15 after 10 c.c.s. Six cases who reacted to serum
had been previously immunized against diphtheria. Only 37 out
of the 355 cases discharged during the year gave a history of
having been immunized against diphtheria.
Prontosil Treatment.—Prontosil was used in 40 cases of the
more severe type, and in most cases appeared to be of considerable
value in hastening recovery, especially when given early and in
conjunction with serum.
Return Cases.—Return cases occurred in 23 households, to
which the patient had returned home during the year after treatment
in hospital for scarlet fever.