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The cases discharged from hospital with nasal discharge, ear
discharge or sore throat were, after their return home, examined
by the Medical Officer of Health, and swabs taken from the throats
and noses. 1 such case occurred in 1926. 21 patients upon
discharge had enlarged neck glands. One patient had sores on
the face.
Swabs are examined bacteriologically free of charge for medical
men by the Public Health Department. In 1926 483 specimens
were submitted, with positive results in 39 instances. A supply of
diphtheria anti-toxin serum is kept at the Public Health Office, and
is available gratis for doctors on request for the treatment of Finsbury
patients prior to removal to hospital, or for patients treated
at home. A fee of 2s. 6d. is paid for each case where the serum is
injected between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. A fee of 5s. per case is paid
where the serum is injected after 9 p.m. and before 9 a.m.
Scarlet Fever.—There were 258 notifications of scarlet fever in
1926. Of these, 27 were subsequently sent home as not suffering
from scarlet fever, leaving 231 true cases.* There were 2 deaths.
All the patients were treated in hospital, excepting two.
The cases treated at home were kept under observation, suitable
measures were adopted to secure isolation and the premises were
disinfected upon the recovery of the patient.
* The cases marked not suffering from scarlet fever were reported to be
suffering from enteritis 2, septic throat 1, measles 1, whooping cough 1,
erythema 4, tonsillitis 1, and " not scarlet fever " 17.