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52
fever patients be treated therein on the system of complete
isolation during the whole period of detention
so far as that may be found practicable; and that the
effect of this procedure on the occurrence of return cases
should be carefully observed.
6. That similar rooms be erected at two other acute
hospitals in which scarlet fever patients may be isolated
for at least three weeks after admission. The patients
being afterwards drafted into convalescent wards, the
complicated and uncomplicated cases being kept
separate. The structural arrangements of the rooms
mentioned in this and the preceding recommendations
to be carefully considered by the medical
superintendents.
7. That inquiry into the subject of return cases
should be continued, on lines to be suggested by the
medical superintendents.
8. That arrangements be made to notify each return
case to the superintendent of the hospital from which
the infecting patient was discharged.
The adoption of certain of the above recommendations
would necessitate an increased staff, and would
also diminish the accommodation available for the
direct admission of cases. We consider that both these
changes are justified by the prospect of reaching a
higher standard of efficiency in the purpose for which
the hospitals are primarily intended, viz., the protection
of the public from infection.