View report page

69
Four of the 411 cases of scarlet fever were patients in the same family as a person who had
within the previous 28 days returned from hospital after having been treated for this disease. Cases
of this kind are called “return” cases, and a very careful investigation was made in each of the
4, with a view to ascertaining the source of infection. The following particulars are of interest in
regard to these 4 “return” cases.
A girl, aged eight years, was removed to hospital suffering from scarlet fever. Ten days after her
discharge two other children in the family fell ill with scarlet fever. On examination, the child who
had previously suffered from the disease was found to have a nasal discharge. She was again removed
to hospital, and no further cases developed.
A girl, aged three years, contracted scarlet fever and was removed to hospital. Eight days after
her discharge another child in the family developed scarlet fever and was removed. On examination,
the child who had previously had scarlet fever was thought to be a “carrier,” and was again removed
to hospital. Six days after her second discharge from hospital, a further case developed.
Diphtheria.—Three hundred and twenty-nine cases of diphtheria were notified during the
year, 322 of which were removed to hospital.

Cases of mistaken diagnosis are excluded from the above Table.
Twenty-seven patients notified as suffering from diphtheria were found after admission to
hospital not to be suffering from any infectious disease at all, with the result that they were
returned home.
The number of Kensington deaths was thirteen, representing a case mortality of 4 per cent.
In the three preceding years the deaths were 11, 15 and 11.
During the year, 2,040 throat swabs were examined at the Council's laboratory at St. Mary
Abbots Hospital, and of these 140 gave a positive result.
It is well established that outbreaks of diphtheria may originate from persons who have the
germs of the disease in the throat or nose, but show no signs of illness. Such persons are called
“carriers” and with a view to discovering the possible existence of any of these in connection
with limited outbreaks where the source of infection was unknown, numerous throat and nose
swabs were taken by medical men at my request or by myself. These swabs are included in
the 2,040 referred to above.
There were twelve instances where more than one case occurred in the same house and the
following are worthy of special mention.
A boy, aged 5 years, contracted diphtheria and was removed to hospital. Five days after his return
home, his brother developed the disease.
Two boys, aged 4 and 6 years, were removed to hospital, suffering from diphtheria. On examining
the remaining children in the family, a sister was found to have a nasal discharge. A swab taken from
her nose proved positive, and this girl was removed to hospital. Two days later, another sister developed
diphtheria.
A child, aged 5 years, had been ill for some time with “tonsillitis.” She eventually lost the use
of her legs and control of her speech. She was admitted to the Princess Louise Kensington Hospital
for Children, and was notified as suffering from post diphtheritic paralysis. Whilst in the Princess
Louise Hospital, she was discovered to be a " carrier," and removed to a fever hospital A week later,
her brother developed the disease and was removed. No other case occurred.
During the year, 46 cases of diphtheria were reported from St. Mary Abbots Hospital, 13
from the Baby Hospital, No. 1, Ladbroke Square, and one from the Princess Louise Kensington
Hospital for Children.