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combined with transference to less infective wards are likely to be
more effective than long detention in reducing the percentage of
return cases.
9. That the Medical Officer of Health should be notified as
to discharge of patient from hospital, or printed instructions
should be given to parent or guardian, in order that suitable
precautions shall be taken at home.
10. That if more attention were paid by the sanitary
authorities to disinfection by steam of clothes, &c., as distinguished
from bedding, the number of fresh cases arising in houses to
which patients are discharged from the Board's hospitals would
likely be reduced.
11. That a comparison between quarantine in hospital and
quarantine at home shows that 91 per cent, of the scarlet fever
cases treated at home were isolated less than 8 weeks and 57 per
cent, less than 6 weeks, and 82 per cent, of the diphtheric cases
were isolated less than 4 weeks and 37 per cent, less than 2 weeks ;
while in hospital 71 per cent, of the scarlet fever cases were
detained 8 weeks and longer extending to 12 and 15 weeks, and
94 per cent, of the diphtheria cases were detained 4 weeks and
longer.
12. That the isolation at home is insufficient in duration as a
rule and that the isolation in hospital if, if anything, too long,
and that return cases are not due to premature discharge.
13. That a reduction in the duration of the detention of
scarlet fever and diphtheria cases in hospital, would likely tend to
theriain the metropolis, as it would permit of a greater number
being removed to hospital with the same accommodation as exists
at present."
The Managers of the Asylums Board referred Dr. Simpson's
report, together with the comments upon it of the several
Medical Superintendents of the hospitals, to the Royal College of
Physicians, informing them that, " looking at the importance of the
subject and to the bearing it has upon the administration of the