View report page

the cases notified, compared with 78-9 per cent, during the
preceding year; as in former years, cases have occurred in
houses where patients have returned from hospital, notwithstanding
that thorough disinfection has been carried out, and to
the further fact that between the date of disinfection and the
date of the return of the patient, a period of many weeks, and
in some cases of months, no further cases have occurred, yet
within a few days of such return, other members of the family
have contracted the disease. These circumstances forcibly
suggest that in such cases the patients have been discharged
from hospital whilst still in an infectious condition. The
Metropolitan Asylums Board, in November, 1898, appointed
a special Medical Officer to investigate all such cases occurring
in the Metropolis for a period of six months, but his report has
not been published.
The following are cases which occurred during the year
under report:—
Case I. F. L., removed to hospital from Earlsfield, in 1899,
discharged 10th January, 1900, and went to 86 Eland Road,
Battersea. On the 22nd January, E. L., of that address,
developed the disease.
Case 2. R. P., removed to hospital from — Elsley Road, on
the 15th November, 1899; returned 24th February, 1900.
On the Ist March, A. P. developed the disease (R. P., after
return, was reported to have had discharges from ears).
Case 3. W. S., of — Tyneham Road, was removed to
hospital on the 13th January, 1900, suffering of Diphtheria
and returned 4th March.
On the 9th March, the same patient developed Scarlet
Fever, and was sent back to hospital.
Case 4. A. S., of — Lockington Road, was removed to
hospital on the 3rd February, and returned on the 14th April.