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17
Note.—During 1899 eighteen deaths were registered as
having occurred from "Marasmus," in every case the child
being under two years of age. It will also be noted that
during the last three years no deaths specially attributed to
tubercular disease of the lungs have occurred in the age period
from five to fifteen.
Remarks on Infectious Diseases.
Smallpox—(See Table II.)
Not a single case was notified in the United Parishes during
the year 1899.
Scarlet Fever.
Five deaths occurred from this disease during the year,
compared with six in 1898, and 201 cases were notified.
"Return " Cases of Scarlet Fever.
Several return cases of Scarlet Fever have occurred during
the past year. That is, after a child has been discharged from
hospital as cured, upon its return home, other children in the
house have become infected.
Each return case was fully enquired into, and in no case
could the medical officer of the hospital account for the
occurrence, since the examination of the patients for all seats
of recognisable infection before leaving the hospital had entirely
negative results.
The Medical Officer of Health for Wigan has had the
following handbill printed and given to the parent or guardian
when a child returns home; but I am afraid that in London,
where space is so valuable, it would be rather difficult to carry
out Clauses 1 and 5
precautions to be used.
1. To have a separate bed from other children, and, if
possible, a bedroom in which other children of the family
do not sleep, for two weeks after returning home.
2. The recovered person should not be allowed to
foudle, nurse, or kiss other children of the family for a
period of two weeks.
B