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24
Scarlet Fever.
All the 190 cases of scarlet fever were removed to hospital with the exception
of five which were satisfactorily isolated at home.
In connection with 26 of the cases during the year there were 38 secondary
cases. Twenty-nine of these were notified either at the same time or within a
few days of the primary case. The nine remaining were "return" cases.
A "return" case of scarlet fever is one occurring within 28 days of the return
from hospital to the same house of a previous case of scarlet fever. These nine
cases occurred in nine houses. In seven the "return" case was in the same
family as the original, or primary, case; in one, in the same household (an
institution). In one instance the "return" case, although in the same house,
was not. connected by family circumstances. In two instances the primary cases
had nasal discharge after their return home. The intervals between the return
of the primary cases and the notification of the "return" case were respectively
7, 8, 8, 13, 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24 days.
Secondary cases of this type occur when patients are treated at home and in
much the same proportion.
32,755 cases of scarlet fever were notified in London.
Puerperal Fever.
One case of puerperal fever was notified. The patient was admitted to the
Holborn Infirmary on October 30th where she died on November 5th.
353 cases were notified in London.
Enteric Fever.
Six cases were notified during the year.
In at least two cases the disease was not contracted in the Borough, one having
been contracted abroad a month prior to notification; the second case was
notified within two days of arrival in the Borough.
In two cases there was no evidence of the probable source of infection.
One patient was a medical practitioner engaged in bacteriological work.
who apparently contracted the disease from the laboratory. It was ascertained
that, during the previous month he had frequently been working with paratyphoid
bacilli and to a less extent with typhoid bacilli; the latter was found in his blood.
In one case there was evidence of the patient becoming ill after eating ice
cream. The illness continued and ultimately enteric fever was diagnosed.
331 cases were notified in London.