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modern type, and owing to its construction it would be difficult to
keep thoroughly clean.
The dust is collected in metal bins, which are emptied into a brick
dust-bin in the grounds. This is of an obsolete type, and is unsatisfactory.
The trapping of the channels of the wash-hand basins is not
altogether satisfactory.
The nurses are worked in floors; that is, on each floor there
is a sister, one staff nurse, and three or four probationers; at night
there being one nurse to each ward, and one extra if required.
The nurse who changes the sheets and squares of the children
has strict instructions to have nothing to do with the feeding. If
any feeding is required at night, Dr. Bruce tells us that this is
effected by a nurse coming up from another ward.
The dirty linen from the wards is kept in ash-bins outside the
wards, and if it is supposed to be infected it is sprinkled with
carbolic lotion. It is then taken down and deposited in the open
at the door of the foul linen laundry, there to be dealt with.
Conclusions.
1. The number of cases of enteritis is not in our opinion unusual
for the time of year, considering the age and state of health of
the patients, the duration of their stay in the Infirmary, and the
fact that they are fed artificially.
2. The assertion that the cases of enteritis are due to infection
from the siding is not supported by sufficient evidence to render it
more than a case for an enquiry of this nature.
3. There is no justification for the exaggerated statements
made by Dr. Bruce beyond the fact that there is this siding, where
dust and manure are loaded, in the neighbourhood of the Infirmary.
4. It is possible that infection may have been conveyed by
milk or by flies, or even in a more direct manner.
WARDS IN WHICH ENTERITIS CASES AROSE.
The numbers in parentheses indicate the beds available in the Wards.
E. 1
(7)
E. 2
(7)
E. 3
(7)
F. 1
(7)
F. 2
(7)
F. 3
(18)
G. 1
G. 2
G. 3
(7)
H. 1
(2)
H. 2
(8)
H. 3
(2)
26.7
3.8
16.8
25.7
28.7
-
8.8
17.7
25.7
24.7
-
5.8
4.8
19.8
-
25.7
17.8
3.9
-
-
22.7
-
9.8
23.8
5.10
8.9
28.8
8.9
22.8
-
9.8
29.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
22.9
4.9
-
29.8
-
-
-
-
11.8
-
-
-
-
9.10
6.9
-
-
24.8
-
-
-
-
20.9
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24.8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
25. 8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24. 9
-
-
-
-
-
-
2.10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
25.9
-
-
-
-
-
Dr. Bruce tells me that H. 3 was only re-opened about the beginning of August.
G. 1 is not used for children at all. G. 2 is only exceptionally used.
Recommendations.
1. That the attention of the Guardians of the St. Saviour's
Infirmary be drawn to the remarks on the various sanitary conditions,
and that they be asked to amend them.