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including membranous croup, enteric fever, continued fever and small pox—fevers
which are received into the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylumns Board. Of these
761 were removed to the Board's Hospitals. The percentage of removals was, therefore,
just under 65 as compared with 56.7 percent. in 1895, and 61.0per cent. in 1894.
Six cases where scarlet fever broke out again in families after the return of
patients from hospitals of the Asylums Board came under my observation. In most
instances the circumstances pointed to the probability of the recurrence of the disease
being in some way connected with the return of the patients, but there was no
evidence as to the patients being in an infectious condition when discharged from
hospital.
From the beginning of July to the end of the year owing to the increased
prevalence of scarlet fever and diphtheria in the Metropolis, the fever hospitals were
so full that new cases could be only taken in as vacancies occurred through deaths and
discharges. As last year preference was given to the removal of those cases which
were most urgent by reason of the surroundings and conditions under which the
patients were living. In the majority of cases but little delay was experienced.
Antitoxic serum for use in the treatment of diphtheria cases which it was
impossible to receive immediately into hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board was supplied free of charge by the Board upon the production of
warrants signed by medical practitioners in charge of the patients, the object being
to give the patients the benefit of the treatment with as little delay as possible, the
treatment being most successful when adopted at an early period of the disease.
Much less difficulty through objections on the part of parents and guardians is
now experienced in securing the removal of infectious cases in Shoreditch. The
people generally are becoming acquainted with the advantages of the means of
isolation and treatment afforded by the hospitals of the Board.
In July I had an opportunity of inspecting the Brook Hospital at Shooters Hill
shortly before it was opened for the reception of patients. It is one of the three
hospitals which the Metropolitan Asylums Board are erecting to meet the growing
needs of the great city in which we live. Its site is a most excellent one, about 200
feet above the sea level. Provision is made for 352 scarlet fever patients, and 112
typhoid and diphtheria patients. Special isolation wards are provided for 24
patients who may be suffering from diseases of doubtful diagnosis, or whom it may be
expedient to specially isolate for other reasons. The administrative buildings are as
separate and distinct as possible from the wards, and everything appeared to have
been done to comply with modern sanitary requirements.
REGULATIONS AS TO CHOLERA, YELLOW FEVER AND PLAGUE.
An order issued by the Local Government Board, and dated November 9th, 1896,
makes special provision for dealing with cases of cholera, yellow fever, and plague