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Scarlet Fever.—Eighty-six cases of scarlet fever were
admitted to hospital during the year.
The following complications were noted amongst the cases
under treatment:—
Rhinitis 3
Otorrhœa 6
Mastoiditis 2
Adenitis 11
Nephritis 3
Albuminuria 2
Rheumatism 6
Whitlows 4
Jaundice 1
In most of the cases the disease was of a mild type, and
no deaths from scarlet fever occurred in the hospital during the
year.
Anti-scarlatinal serum was used fairly extensively. Most
of the patients, with the exception of those who had the disease
in a very mild form, received an injection of this serum on
admission.
The serum appeared to lower the temperature considerably
and to make the patient much more comfortable. The liability
to complications, however, did not appear to be appreciably
diminished. The same result has been experienced in preceding
years.
The most important complications that arose were those
involving the ear and kidneys. Six patients developed otorrhcea
and two mastoiditis, making in ail eight cases with ear complications.
Where necessary, paracentesis was performed. The cases
of mastoiditis subsided without operation. All these cases were
discharged with normal hearing and free from ear discharge.
Three patients developed acute nephritis and two albuminuria.
One of the cases of acute nephritis was of considerable severity
and associated with uraemic manifestations. All these patients
made complete recoveries.
The other important complications which occurred were
adenitis, rhinitis, and rheumatism. Only rarely was surgical
interference required in the cases of adenitis. No cardiac complications
arose in the six patients who suffered from scarletinal
rheumatism.
One "return" case occurred. This amounts to 1.2 per cent.
of the patients discharged.
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