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course be given to patients housed in the minimum
number of rooms, and it may even be necessary to
refrain from pressing removal in certain cases
where the tenement is occupied beyond the limit
of two per room.
RETURN CASES.
In the Report for 1894 attention was directed
to the fact that after the return of certain patients
from hospital, fresh cases of disease scarlet fever
and diphtheria—occasionally occurred, and an abstract
of a Report by Dr. Birdwooa to the Metropolitan
Asylums Board on the subject was given
(see page 43, Report for 1894). In consequence of
the remarks by Dr. Birdwood and of numerous
complaints by medical officers of health, the Asylums
Board referred the whole question to the
General Purposes Committee for consideration and
report. The inquiry was conducted by a subcommittee
on the following lines:—
1. Communications were addressed to the various medical officers of
health, asking for information as to cases in their districts.
2. A circular letter was sent to all authorities of the more important
fever hospitals, to ascertain the average duration of detention in
hospital of scarlet fever and diphtheria patients, excluding fatal cases.
3. The Medical Superintendents of the Board's hospitals were
instructed to report as to the precautions adopted before discharging
patients.
4. Attention was given to the means of disinfection adopted by the
various local authorities, as detailed in the Report of the Public Health
Department of the London County Council, published in December,
1894.
In response to the first communication, the