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Whether the harm done in this way does not more than
counterbalance the good effect of the regulations I am discussing
is matter for serious consideration.
40. Return Cases.—There were 14 cases which occurred
within less than two weeks of the return of a brother or sister
(or other inmate of the house) from the Fever Hospital, where
they had gone for the same disease. Nine of these occurred
within seven days of the return. Eight of the returned patients
had either discharge or sores of the nose; one had sores on the
face and fingers, one had a rash, and one was desquamating
on the thighs. The mother of one case made the following
suggestive remark: she had had seven children in the Fever
Hospital, and as far as she remembered they all came back
with a cold. Has this anything to do with the routine warm
bath before dismissal?
In 1898 I recorded 4 "return cases"; no doubt some of
these returned infectious children infect children of other
families after re-commencing school attendance. The School
Board has not yet made public the outcome of Dr. Simpson's
investigation of these cases.
41. To summarise:—
(i.) There is usually more Scarlet Fever in Plumstead than
in London, owing mainly to the different age distribution
of the population.
(ii.) During the past two years there has been an unusually
excessive prevalence in Plumstead of a mild form ot
Scarlet Fever.
(iii.) The death rate from Scarlet Fever per 1,000 living in
1899 was lower in Plumstead than in England and
Wales, and the same as London. Per 1,000 children of
school age it is even lower than London.