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The average length of stay in hospital of scarlet fever cases
last year was 42 days.
The period of stay in hospital varied from 6 days to 163 days.
Prolonged detention in hospital is due to some complication
such as ear or nasal discharge, mastoid disease, nephritis, sores or
other condition which renders the patient still infectious.
All the houses where cases occurred were visited and inspected.
Nuisances that called for remedy were made the subject of notice
and amendment. The rooms, the bedding and clothing were
disinfected.
Discharges.—Every case discharged from hospital is visited
by the sanitary inspector soon after return home. The possibility
of further infection is explained to the mother and a leaflet of instruction
left with her. If found necessary, a visit is paid by the assistant
medical officer. Special attention is paid to children who show signs
of nasal discharge, running ears or sores, all of which sometimes
develop after discharge from hospital. If suitable precautions
against spreading infection cannot be taken owing to home circumstances,
the child is sent back to hospital as potentially still
infectious.
School Children.—In connection with cases of diphtheria
and scarlet fever arising amongst the elementary school children,
visits were paid last year to one school by a medical officer of the
London County Council.
The Borough sanitary inspectors also visit the schools when
several cases have been notified from any particular school or class
in the school within a short period, and advice is given to the Head
Teacher on general lines and disinfection of a classroom is carried
out during the week-end.
Exclusion from School of Contacts of Infectious Diseases.
By arrangement with the School Medical Officer, the names
of children, who, in the opinion of the Borough Medical Officer,
should be excluded from school as contacts of cases of infectious
diseases notified under the Public Health (London) Act, are forwarded
to the head teachers by the Public Health Department.
The periods of exclusion, except in exceptional circumstances, are
those adopted by the London County Council.