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1903] 102

SCARLET FEVER.
There were only 865 cases of this disease notified, which is the smallest
number that has been known since its notification became compulsory. This
was a reduction of 780 on the corrected annual average for ten years, while
the attack rate was 2.55 per 1,000 of the population compared with a mean
decennial rate of 4.85 per 1,000.
An examination of the accompanying chart shows that in only two weeks,
namely the first and twelfth, were the cases above the average of the corresponding
weeks in ten years.
In London there were 12,531 cases known, which are equal to an attack
rate of 2.72 per 1,000, or 0.17 below the local rate.
In the Encircling Boroughs 2,178 cases were notified, representing an
attack rate of 2.70, which is 0.15 above that of Islington.
Hospital Isolation.—756, or 87.4 per cent., of the 856 known cases were
removed to hospital. This return is even higher than that of 1902, which was
up to then the highest on record. It is most gratifying to find that the public
so highly appreciate the great advantages which the Metropolitau Asylums
Board Hospitals afford them for the isolation and treatment of their children.
Fatality.—The fatality was extremely small, for there were only 24
deaths among the 865 cases, or 2.7 per cent.